Image OBJECT with valid CONTENT |
Section 508 1194.22(a); WAI / WCAG 1.0 checkpoint 1.1
Issue Description The page contains OBJECT elements embedding images that do not have a valid description between the <OBJECT> and </OBJECT> tags. A valid description is an HTML fragment between the <OBJECT> and </OBJECT> tags that contain the following:

- At least one word
- Another object
- An IMG element with valid ALT text
- A link to a valid alternative representation

A valid description does not contain placeholder text (see http://www.w3.org/TR/AERT#AppendixC).

How to fix Insert a meaningful description inside the <OBJECT> tag. The alternative textual description should explain the content of the image and its role in the document.
Issue Explanation The OBJECT tag offers a mechanism for specifying alternate object renderings. Each embedded OBJECT declaration may specify alternate content types. If a browser cannot render the outermost OBJECT, it tries to render its contents, which may be another OBJECT element, etc.

At least one object in such a chain should be accessible by providing a valid equivalent description so that users without graphics-enabled browsers can still effectively navigate the page. The advent of hand-held, text-only browsers makes the use of the ALT descriptions more important now than ever.

Defining a textual description for an object can also improve the page listing in some search engine.