AREA with equivalent ALT |
Section 508 1194.22(a); WAI / WCAG 1.0 checkpoint 1.1
Issue Description The image map included in this document has AREAs elements with valid textual descriptions. These descriptions should be equivalent to the image map.
How to check Test the ALT attribute of the AREA tag while keeping the following points in mind:

- The description should explain the link destination, or why the user would want to follow it
- Do not mention the mechanics such as "click here", but describe the destination of the link and its role for the user

Issue Explanation ALT attributes are the means to provide text equivalents for image maps. Doing so is important since image maps convey visual information crucial for navigation. The ALT attribute should describe the associated area of the image so that users without graphics-enabled browsers can still effectively navigate the page. Without equivalent ALT descriptions, such users would not be able to navigate through the image map.

As with other links, the link text should make sense when read out of context. Good link text should not be overly general. Do not use "click here." Not only is this phrase device-dependent (it implies a pointing device), but it says nothing about what is to be found if the link is click. Instead of "click here", link text should indicate the nature of the link target, as in "more information about sea lions" or "text-only version of this page".

The advent of hand-held, text-only browsers makes the use of the ALT descriptions more important now than ever. Consider that many users by choice or necessity use text-only browsers with screen readers or speaking browsers. They include visually impaired persons, people using the web over a phone, and people using a speaking browser in the car.

Until user agents can render text equivalents for client-side image map links, you can make your page accessible to users that cannot see the graphics by providing redundant textual links for each active region of a client-side image map. By providing the ALT description for AREA elements, however, your page is already compliant with respect to these new browsers.