How to Use "alt" Tags

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by Jennifer Stewart

Alt tags - we've seen them when we take a peek at the HTML source of other sites and we probably have them on our own sites.

Many people use alt tags to give information about their site to those whose browsers don't support images or to those who switch off the graphics to speed up their web surfing.

But, after a great deal of trial and error (see the Saga of the alt tags), I've finally discovered the real, fair dinkum reason that we have alt tags: they're not to help people who don't want to see the graphics, but to help those who can't see the graphics.

There are sound enabled readers installed in special browsers for those with disabilities, and these programs actually do read what is on the page - out aloud.

Try this little exercise: enlist the help of a friend, click onto a site neither of you have seen before, close your eyes and have your friend read the site to you ...... Not easy, is it?

Now imagine what it would be like if you had to view every site like this. Hence, alt tags.

These are the main points that should govern our use of alt tags:

• If you don't use alt tags, the person using a reader only hears "...image Image Image" - very frustrating!
• If you use graphical buttons, labeled "Home", "About Us" etc., you also need to repeat this information in your alt tags. If you don't, then you make it impossible for blind users to navigate your site.
• If the graphics are simply buttons or lines, use the "invisible" alt. (alt=" "), then the browser's reader will pass over these, instead of reading "...we offer red button free tune up red button free lube ..."

I hasten to add that my own site doesn't do all of these things - but it's something that I'll be working on in the future.

If you want a truly humbling experience, go to "Bobby" (www.cast.org/bobby/) - this site will validate your site and show you how accessible it is ... you won't believe how many little bobby helmets fit on one page .....

Other sites which provide information on making your site accessible are: