Working with ALT tags

Text equivalents in the form of ALT tags can be provided for buttons, images, and animations in the program. The accessibility requirement not only necessitates that text equivalents must be provided, but also implies that the alternative text must be properly implemented. Follow these guidelines when providing alternative text:

Alternative text provided for buttons or other navigational components should inform the user where he or she will be taken.
Alternative text for images or animations that convey additional information should describe the conveyed meaning.
Alternative text used within ALT tags should be as succinct as possible (less than 156 characters), while also conveying the meaning behind the object. Objects that require a description that cannot be succinctly described in less than 156 characters must be accompanied by a full textual description.
Media used for decoration or simply for page layout should omit alternative text or use “empty” ALT tags so that a screen reader does not present unnecessary information to the user.

ALT tags in the program are created from the object’s name as it is listed in the Title Explorer. This is the same name that appears in the Name field of the object’s properties. Object names serving also as the ALT tags should be limited to 156 characters.

See also: Changing the name of an object

If you cannot describe the animation, image, or button in less than 156 characters, use a textual caption, hidden description, or a pop-up window to provide the object’s description.

If images, animations or buttons within your content are of no informational value or are used merely for decoration, the objects should have empty ALT tags. This enables screen readers to ignore the object and prevents the screen reader from announcing any unnecessary information to the user.

Buttons intended to be ignored should be omitted entirely from the title, and images that have an empty ALT tag cannot have actions attached to them.