Images

Images

An image is a static two dimensional visual artifact that is a type of non-text content.

The image element is <img>.

Describing images

Description text

All images require a text description which serves the same purpose and presents the same information as the image including all:

• Data
• Relationships
• Colour differences (which convey meaning)

A description can be empty if the image provides all of the following:

• No information
• No functionality
• Asthetic purpose only

Description length

For descriptions which are:

• Empty, use an empty string ("") as a short text description.

• Less than 140 chars, use the entire description as a short text description.

• Greater than or equal to 140 chars:

  • Summarizes the image in a few words as a short text description, and
  • Use the entire description as a long text description.

Description coding

Short text descriptions must be coded in the alt attribute of the <img> element.

Long text descriptions can be coded anywhere (either on the current page or another page) and must either:

• Provide a link to it immediately adjacent to the image.

• Append how to locate it to the short text description.

Images of text

Use CSS to customize text presentation.

Do not use images of text unless a particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed.

Animated images

Animated images are considered the same as video-only content and the requirements for video-only content apply.