Text Tags

What is meant by a text equivalent?

A text equivalent means adding words to represent the purpose of a non-text element. This provision requires that when an image indicates a navigational action such as "move to the next screen" or "go back to the top of the page," the image must be accompanied by actual text that states the purpose of the image. This provision also requires that when an image is used to represent page content, the image must have a text description accompanying it that explains the meaning of the image.

How much information actually needs to be in the text equivalent?

The text information associated with a non-text element should, when possible, communicate the same information as its associated element. For example, when an image indicates an action, the action must be described in the text. The types of non-text elements requiring actual text descriptions are limited to those elements that provide information required for comprehension of content or those used to facilitate navigation. Web page authors often utilize transparent graphics for spacing. Adding a text description to these elements will produce unnecessary clutter for users of screen readers. For such graphics, an empty ALT attribute is useful.

What is meant by the term, non-text element?

A non-text element is an image, graphic, audio clip, or other feature that conveys meaning through a picture or sound. Examples include buttons, check boxes, pictures and embedded or streaming audio or video.

How should audio presentations be treated?

This provision requires that when audio presentations are available on a multimedia web page, the audio portion must be captioned. Audio is a non-textual element, so a text equivalent of the audio must be provided if the audio is part of a multimedia presentation, Multimedia includes both audio and video. If the presentation is audio only, a text transcript would meet this requirement.

What are ways of assigning text to elements?

There are several ways of providing textual information so that it can be recognized by assistive technology devices. For instance, the IMG tag can accept an "alt" attribute that will enable a web designer to include text that describes the picture directly in the IMG tag.


Similarly, the APPLET tag for Java applets also accepts an "alt" attribute, but it only works for browsers that provide support for Java. Often, users with slower internet connections will turn support for Java applets off. A better alternative for providing textual descriptions is to simply include the alternative text between opening and closing APPLET or OBJECT tags. For instance, if a web designer wanted to include an applet called MyCoolApplet in a web page, and also include a description that the applet shows a stock ticker displaying the current price of various stocks.

Web Design

Website design has evolved over the years. In the early days, sites were mainly a listing of links and animated gifs. The cooler the design effects, the better. As the need for information increased, sites struggled to find ways to incorporate exponentially growing content. The target audience for websites also extended, from the technically proficient to a wide spectrum of the population, spanning diverse ages, cultures, literacy levels and abilities.

Design Process and Evaluation

They are listed below

1. Provide Useful Content
2. Establish User Requirements
3. Understand and Meet User’s Expectations
4. Involve Users in Establishing User Requirements
5. Set and State Goals
6. Focus on Performance Before Preference
7. Consider Many User Interface Issues
8. Be Easily Found in the Top 30
9. Set Usability Goals
10. Use Parallel Design
11. Use Personas