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Re: Image maps and JAWS

for

From: Jukka K. Korpela
Date: Nov 29, 2004 11:08AM

On Mon, 29 Nov 2004, lists38 wrote:

> I am just implementing a site using image maps with ALT text for all
> areas.

Why? Regarding image maps, there are really just two useful rules:
1. Don't use them.
2. If you really have something that is _better_ presented as a clickable
image than as a list of links, make the clickable image an _alternative_
to the list of links. (For example, for selecting an area within a
country, first set up a list of links. Then, if desired, _add_ an
alternative, namely a clickable map.)

In case 2, you should use alt attributes as a matter of principle, but
they aren't really needed when you have the list.

> According to Dive into Accessibility, Building Accessible web sites
> and all others that is enough

Then they are simply wrong. Try any graphic browser with image loading (or
just display) switched off, and you'll see. More info:
http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/html/mapalt.html

> (I am aware of the issue of users with low
> vision though).

That's one problem, and potentially relevant to (literally) billions of
people, but the main problem is in getting the alt text appear in the
first place.

> What puzzles me is that my evaluation copy of Jaws and Fangs both do not
> show any of the navigation. Is that a setting in Jaws?

Well, what's the URL? There might be an error in your document.

--
Jukka "Yucca" Korpela, http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/