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Re: Image maps

for

From: Barry Hill
Date: Jan 22, 2020 5:26AM

Thanks, Patrick. I did think that it was unusual to simply ignore the
accessibility. The map is for mobile phone coverage down to individual
postcodes, so I can't see that the map itself can be made practically
accessible. However, they do have a postcode search facility that does the
same thing, so I told them that this would be fine, alternative means and
all that. So, with this alternative in mind, what do they do about the map?

Cheers

Barry




-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of
Patrick H. Lauke
Sent: 22 January 2020 12:03 PM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Image maps

On 22/01/2020 11:58, Barry Hill wrote:
> Hi all
>
>
>
> I've been asked what to do about screen reader accessibility for an
> image of a map of the UK that gives more information when areas of the
> map are clicked on. Tabbing and cursoring do not pick up anything on the
map.
>
>
>
> This is from W3C:
>
>
>
> "For non-text content that is a control or accepts user input, such as
> images used as submit buttons, image maps or complex animations, a
> name is provided to describe the purpose of the non-text content so
> that the person at least knows what the non-text content is and why it is
there."
>
>
>
> So, it seems that it is ok that it is not accessible as long as it has
> a label to say what I, as a blind screen reader user, am missing out
> on. Is this correct for this map? I wonder if it might be as good to
> null text the whole thing.

No, you misunderstand. The quoted text refers to the main image itself, and
that your text alternative for it at least knows in very broad general terms
what it is (in your case, "Map of the UK"). The actual functionality of the
map itself must still be made accessible (either directly, or provide an
alternative such as a table or just a flat separate page that lists all
areas of the UK and provides that information you'd get when clicking on
each bit).

In short, the text you quote does not absolve you from making this map
accessible.

P

--
Patrick H. Lauke

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