Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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G82: Providing a text alternative that identifies the purpose of the non-text content

Applicability

Applies to all technologies

This technique relates to:

Description

The purpose of this technique is to provide useful information via the text alternative even if the full function of the non-text content cannot be provided.

Sometimes, a text alternative cannot serve the same purpose as the original non-text content (for example an applet meant to develop two dimensional rapid targeting skills and eye hand coordination.) In these cases this technique is used. With this technique a description of the purpose of the non-text content is provided.

Examples

Example 1

Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

Tests

Procedure

  1. remove, hide, or mask the non-text content

  2. replace it with the text alternative

  3. check that the purpose of the non-text content is clear - even if function is lost.

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.