Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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C9: Using CSS to include decorative images

Applicability

Any technology that can use CSS to include images.

This technique relates to:

Description

The objective of this technique is to provide a mechanism to add purely decorative images and images used for visual formatting to Web content without requiring additional markup within the content. This makes it possible for assistive technologies to ignore the non-text content. Some user agents can ignore or turn off CSS at the user's request, so that background images included with CSS simply "disappear" and do not interfere with display settings such as enlarged fonts or high contrast settings.

Background images can be included with the following CSS properties:

Note: This technique is not appropriate for any image that conveys information or provides functionality, or for any image primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience.

Examples

Example 1: Background image for an HTML page

The stylesheet for a Web page specifies a background image for the whole page.

Example Code:

…
  <style type="text/css">
    body { background: #ffe url('/images/home-bg.jpg') repeat; }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
...

Example 2: Background image with CSS for image rollovers

The stylesheet for a Web page uses the CSS background property to create a decorative rollover effects when a user hovers the mouse pointer over a link.

Example Code:

a:hover { background: #ffe url('/images/hover.gif') repeat; color: #000;
  text-decoration: none;
}

Example 3: Background images with CSS to create rounded corners on tabs or other elements

The styleseet for a Web page uses the CSS background property to create rounded corners on elements.

Example Code:

…
  <style type="text/css">
    div#theComments { width:600px; }
    div.aComment { background: url('images/middle.gif') repeat-y left top; 
    margin:0 0 30px 0; }
    div.aComment blockquote { background: url('images/top.gif') no-repeat left top; 
    margin:0; padding:8px 16px; }
    div.aComment div.submitter { background:#fff url('images/bottom.gif') no-repeat left top; 
    margin:0; padding-top:30px; }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <div id="theComments">
    <div class="aComment">
      <blockquote>
        <p>Hi John, I really like this technique and I'm gonna use it on my own Website!</p>
      </blockquote>
      <div class="submitter">
        <cite><a href="http://example.com/">anonymous coward</a> from Elbonia</cite>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="aComment">
…
 </div>
</div>
…

Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

Tests

Procedure

  1. Check for the presence of decorative images

  2. Check that they are included with CSS

Expected Results

If this is a sufficient technique for a success criterion, failing this test procedure does not necessarily mean that the success criterion has not been satisfied in some other way, only that this technique has not been successfully implemented and can not be used to claim conformance.

Techniques are Informative

Techniques are informative—that means they are not required. The basis for determining conformance to WCAG 2.0 is the success criteria from the WCAG 2.0 standard—not the techniques. For important information about techniques, please see the Understanding Techniques for WCAG Success Criteria section of Understanding WCAG 2.0.