"Example 5.1
Here's an example of an image being used as a decorative banner for a persons blog, the image offers no information and so should have an empty alt attribute.
While it is not unacceptable to include decorative images inline, it is recommended if they are purely decorative to include the image using CSS."

Everett wrote:

I agree with this completely, but more guidance is required to guide readers about what is and is not "decorative".  As an example, I as a blind user, am very unclear about what you  consider to be decorative, because there is no description of the image that is decorative.  It would be nice to provide a couple of further examples, and with each to provide a description of the image so that readers who cannot see the image can fully understand the concept.  An excellent example of alt attributes being context sensitive, within your example the image is decorative, but within the larger document the image communicates information (as it shows what is considered decorative).


I would also like to see an example that makes it clear that the HTML5 editor's explanation on 4.8.1.1.6 is completely incorrect, as some may have already read this before your far superior changes replace it.


"Examples where the image is purely decorative despite being relevant would include things like a photo of the Black Rock City landscape in a blog post about an event at Burning Man, or an image of a painting inspired by a poem, on a page reciting that poem."

"Example 6.4
Here is another example of the same image used in a different context. In this case it is used to add a bit of medieval themed decoration to an advertisement.
As the image bears no direct relation to the content of the page it is considered appropriate to use an empty alt attribute. It can also be considered
appropriate to provide a brief description of the image as some users who cannot view images appreciate having information provided about images of paintings
and photographs regardless of the context in which the images are used. As decisions about when to provide a text alternative are based on context of use,
both options are considered to be conforming HTML5."

Everett wrote:
Complete disagreement here.  The image should always have alt set (unless it is decorative".  An image of a photo is not decorative, it leands content to the page, even if the author is unaware of the affect that the image is having on the page.  What I am trying to say that there is a difference betwenn a decorative image like a spacer or stylized hr and an image of something like a person, a sunset, etc.  The later need descriptions as they influence the reader's interpretation of the content.