MICROSOFT WORD 2010
508 ACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST

Provide alternative text or descriptions for non-decorative images, images within a link, form fields, and other interface elements.

Watch video (1:12 mins)

Check whether alternate text has been used and is appropriate / sufficient

To examine alternate text for images:

• To look for the presence of alternate text, Run the accessibility checker: "Missing Alt Text"
• Use the Alt text for images guide to determine whether the alternate text is appropriate / sufficient

Note: Null alt text (no alt text or a single space character) is acceptable for decorative and redundant images, although an error will be generated in the checker.

Watch video (3:22 mins)

Add alternate text for pictures, charts, shapes etc.:

• Select the item, then open the context menu (right click), select Format…
  
  
• The Format dialog box opens.
• In the Format dialog box, Alt Text Tab, add the alternate text in the Description field. Give the purpose and function of the picture within the context of the surrounding information. Avoid putting redundant and/or irrelevant information into the alternate text.
  
  

  Note: The Title field is not necessary for accessibility. It can be left blank.

  Note: A detailed guide is available for determining content for alternative text in different situations (see below).

For images depicting text

• When an image depicts text, the alternative text for the image should use the text in the image.
• Give the purpose and function of the picture within the context of the surrounding information. Also provide any text shown in the image, verbatim.
  
  

Note: A detailed guide is available for determining content for alternative text in different situations (see below).

Remove alternative text for decorative or formatting images

• Supply a null alternative text value for decorative or formatting images (ALT="") so they are skipped by assistive technologies.
  
  

Note: Null alt text (no alt text or a single space character) is acceptable for decorative and redundant images, although an error will be generated in the checker.

Note: A detailed guide is available for determining content for alternative text in different situations (see below).

Follow detailed guidance for alternate text:

Use the Alternate text for images guide to determine content for alternative text in different situations. The guide covers the following topics:

Use the Alternate text for images guide to determine content for alternative text in different situations. The guide covers the following topics:

• Conveying purpose and function of a picture
• Appropriate length and level of detail to use
• Common mistakes
• Specific guidance for different types of pictures, including
  • Portraits (head-shots)
  • Charts, diagrams and illustrations
  • Logos
  • Text contained in an image
  • Text rendered as an image
  • Bullets
  • Spacers (structural images)
  • Lines, horizontal rules, and separators
  • Decorative images
  • Background images
  • Watermarks
  • Signatures
  • Complex / ungrouped / tiled / layered images

Provide alternative text or descriptions for non-decorative images, images within a link, form fields, and other interface elements.

Correct:

(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)

Incorrect:

(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)

Provide alternative text or descriptions for non-decorative images, images within a link, form fields, and other interface elements.

People who are blind or have low vision may need additional information presented as text so they can access information and control interface elements. Complex images may require detailed descriptions to convey important or useful information. For instance, provide a more detailed description for a chart demonstrating a growth trend.

Legal References

508 references:

1194.21(d); 1194.21(f); 1194.22(a); 1194.22(i); 1194.22(l); 1194.22(n); 1194.31(a); 1194.31(b).

WCAG references:

1.1.1-H37.

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