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Re: Is using aria-label to add alternative text - but no alt attribute still a WCAG fail?

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From: Steve Green
Date: Aug 23, 2024 5:05AM

If an image fails to load, some (most?) browsers display the "alt" attribute instead, but they don't display the "aria-label" value, so the "aria-label" attribute is not treated just like an "alt" attribute would be. Does this matter in terms of whether we regard "aria-label" as being accessibility support for <img> elements?

In terms of conformance with SC 1.1.1, "aria-label" only provides a text alternative for assistive technology users. Perhaps this is another of those cases where the provision of visible text when an image doesn't load is considered a usability issue, not an accessibility issue.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd