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Re: A complex image used as a link: I need to provide alt attribute value as link and longer description of the image.

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From: Dean.Vasile
Date: Oct 1, 2024 9:40AM

Personally, I would recommend that you try it and then test it with NVDA and JAWS.
Because as a screen reader user it would drive me crazy if the description came before the pertinent all text for the link
And I do know that those two screen readers sometimes perceive the information differently
Dean Vasile
IAAP, CPACC
<EMAIL REMOVED>
617-799-1162

On Oct 1, 2024, at 10:51 AM, Jim Byrne Accessible Web Design < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:


Hi All,

Does this sound like the best solution for a complex image that is being used as a link - to a large version of the image. I.e., is this the best way to provide both a link that makes sense when read out of context and a longer text description of the image.

This is what I was thinking as a solution:

1. Add an appropriate alt attribute to the image (to acts as link text). The alt attribute will provide a short link text value to describe the target image.

2. Add the longer text description via aria-describedby. The image is complex and requires a longer alternative text description. The description should to be on the same page.

According to the WC3 documentation, some screen readers read out the value of the aria-describedby value directly after the alt attribute - and some require the use to take an additional action to read out the value of aria-describedby. For reference see https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/ARIA15.html.

Do you think that is the best solution?

Thanks,
Jim


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Multi-award-winning WCAG 2.2 AA Accessibility Auditing and Accessibility Consultant

Web: https://jimbyrne.co.uk

Jim Byrne is one of the UK’s most experienced practitioners in the area of accessible digital design.

Jim provided feedback during the development of WCAG 2 (the de facto accessibility guidelines used by governments across the world). He is the author of a number of technical books, training courses and accessibility guides. Jim was a winner of the equal access category of the Global Bangemann Challenge.