Web Axe: web accessibility podcast and blog
Podcast and blog on practical web design accessibility tips.
What is web accessibility? | Email: web axe [at gmail] NOSPAM! dot com
Current Posts
ALT Attributes -- Use Them, Damn It
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Not really sure why so many web sites are missing ALT attributes on their images. In this podcast, Dennis explains a number of reasons why they must be used.Download Web Axe Episode 18 (ALT attributes)
Labels: accessibility, alt, image, podcast, web
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Previous Posts
- Web Axe's Sponsor Company
- About Cognitive Accessibility
- Web browsers comply with Section 508
- Colors & Accessibility
- Awareness/Ignorance of Web Accessibility
- About Captioning
- AJAX Hype?
- Accessible tableless forms
- More than 508
- Accessibility and Search Engine Optimization
Related Sites
- Web Overhauls - tune-up your web site!
- Accessible Twitter - superior alternative to Twitter.com.
- 3.7crea.tv - web design and marketing blog.
- Refresh Detroit - regional group for web professionals.
- Detroit Podcasters Network.
- Website Design - seo friendly web design company.
About the Hosts
About Dennis
Dennis Lembree is the founder of web development company Web Overhauls, which specializes in web usability, standards, and accessibility. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dennisl
About Ross
Ross Johnson runs a web design company (3.7 Designs) that takes a wholistic view on the web and art of constructing pages. They strive to be creative and unique. Follow Ross on Twitter: @3pointross
3 Comments:
Really like your show. I put it in a new podcast review I write in my blog. I heard about your show through Paul Boag's podcast - I am quite the podcast junkie.
Anyhow, thanks for alerting the web design community about this very important, yet often ignored aspect of web accessibility. I found it useful to visit sites like Window Eyes to get a better idea of how those with disabilities surf the net.
Thanks for the kudos Laura. Now I'll get off my butt and do some more episodes!
I agree with you that ALT tags are just a basic part of writing valid code. Unfortunately, many so-called "webmasters" are really just beginners with WYSIWYG web editors throwing pages and sites up (that is when they're not doing it with Microsoft Word.) These editors usually have a place in their image properties section to include ALT or descriptive text but fail to require it or even stress the importance of it.
I disagree with you, however, on the use of spacer images. These still have a valid use for accessibility even on a pure CSS layout page. They're handy for floating over complex background images and identifying specific elements of a larger image--especially collage-type images or images with relevant text in them. I occassionally get these in press releases that I'm supposed to use on station websites to promote an upcoming show. This method is also more accessible than JavaScript Image Maps for graphic navigation methods.
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