Visual Elements

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Last Updated: Nov 08, 2024, 11:45 AM

Do's and Don'ts

Below are some examples of what we are seeing and how to fix them.  One of the most popular issues we see are websites using PDF fliers or Event information within images on their websites.

Examples

  • Scan or flatten a PDF

    Don't

    Upload a PDF that was scanned as an image.

    Do

    Include content of a PDF as real text on a web page if at all possible. Otherwise, save PDFs retaining text. If obtaining PDF files from a designer, request accessible PDFs that contain selectable text. Also, request a jpg image that can be used on the web as a thumbnail.


  • Event Details

    Don't

    Display important text information on your website as an image. For example, if Web Communications used the following graphic to display dates for upcoming Cascade trainings, a website reader using a screen reader would not have access to the training dates:

    cms-training-not-accessible.jpg

    Do

    Use one of the many template features to display items that can be displayed as text, as real text on a page. For example:

    CMS TRAINING

    Non-Academic Training

    • Tuesday, February 11 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
      Tuesday February 18 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Wednesday, February 19 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
      Wednesday, February 26 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Tuesday, March 18 - 9:00am – 11:00am
      Tuesday, March 25 - 9:00am – 11:00am

    Academic Training

    • February 6 - 9:00am - 11:00am
      Thursday, February 13 - 9:00am - 11:00am
    • Tuesday, February 25 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
      Tuesday, March 4 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
    • Wednesday, April 2 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm
      Wednesday, April 9 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm

  • Fliers

    Don't

    Use an image (jpg, png, svg, gif, etc.) of a poster, post card, flyer as the main content for a page. For example:

    whm-poster-not-accessible.jpg

    Do

    Use a small thumbnail image to link to an accessible PDF. For example:

    womenshistorymonth-2014.jpg

    Southern Illinois University's Center for Inclusive Excellence will hold a variety of special programs and activities for Women's History Month.

    The image on the left is also a link to an accessible PDF.

  • 2. TEXT

    2.1 - "Use text to display text, unless formatting that cannot be achieved with CSS is required."

    Whenever possible, use actual text instead of images of text. Text that requires exact formatting, such as logos and/or other branding elements, are appropriate exceptions.

  • 4. IMAGES

    4.1 - "Provide appropriate "alternate text" for all images."

    ALL images must have appropriate alternate text. As a rule of thumb, consider what you might say if you were reading the web page to someone over the telephone. You do not need to include the words "image of" or "graphic of." Specifically:

    • For images that contain words or letters - use alternate text that includes the same words or letters.
    • For image links - use alternate text that identifies the link's destination or function. You do not need to include the words "link to."

    4.2 - "Provide full descriptions for graphs, diagrams, and other meaningful images."

    "Meaningful" images are images that convey more information than can appropriately be expressed as alternate text.

    Present a full description of a meaningful image either on the page on which the image appears or through a link immediately preceding or following the image. Use alternate text to provide a concise name for the image. For example, the alternate text of a graph should state its title and the full description should summarize its trends and/or present a table of its data.

    Note: The longdesc attribute of the <img> element can also be used to provide a link to a full description. Because longdesc it is not yet supported by most web browsers, it should not be used as the only method of providing a full description.