Images

Alternative text is read by screen readers in place of images, allowing the content or function of the image to be accessible to those with visual or certain cognitive disabilities. Long description might be recommended for particularly complex images.

Bad Example

In the example below the image of the Eiffel Tower does not have alternative text. Most screen readers will read a file name instead, which often contains no meaningful information. For example the file name of the image below is 'IMG_3145.JPG'.

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (15 December 1832 – 27 December 1923) was a French civil engineer and architect. A graduate of the prestigious École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures of France, he made his name with various bridges for the French railway network, most famously the Garabit viaduct. He is best known for the world-famous Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris, and his contribution to designing the Statue of Liberty in New York. After his retirement from engineering, Eiffel concentrated his energy on research into meteorology and aerodynamics, making important contributions in both fields.

Good Example

In this example the image of Eiffel Tower is provided with a detailed description which ties it back to the main content.

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (15 December 1832 – 27 December 1923) was a French civil engineer and architect. A graduate of the prestigious École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures of France, he made his name with various bridges for the French railway network, most famously the Garabit viaduct. He is best known for the world-famous Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris, and his contribution to designing the Statue of Liberty in New York. After his retirement from engineering, Eiffel concentrated his energy on research into meteorology and aerodynamics, making important contributions in both fields.