A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).

-- Consistent with WCAG 1.1

When to apply alt text.   To all non-text elements such as:

Image
Graphic
Audio Clip
Other feature that conveys meaning through picture or sound

Method:
Use “alt” attribute in IMAGE tag.

<img src=“scclogo.gif” border=“0” height=“200” width=“350” alt=“Surry Community College Logo”>
 

-- Descriptive:  Provides the same information for users who cannot see the image due to disability, technology, or environment as those who can see the image.

alt=”Sign up for our mailing list”

Provides the same information as the image:
Bad:  alt=“click for more information”
Good:  alt=“Flipper’s Fin-Tastic 40th Anniversary”


--  Bullet:  Should not describe the color or shape of bullet; doing so repetitively annoys users.

Bad: alt=“Arrow On” 
Instead, use an asterisk in place of a description of the bullet:  Good: alt=“*”

-- Null: Should be used for all spacer images but do not describe as this annoys and confuses users.  Should be used for all background and decorative graphics but do not describe.

Bad: no alt-text or alt=“right corner green image”
Good: alt=“”
 

-- Long Descriptions:   Method for detailed images or graphs

Length of Alt Text: Alt-text can hold 255 characters but use a maximum of 150 characters, which is able to be accessed by all browsers.  But, what if the image is highly detailed like a PowerPoint slide? Use the longdesc attribute.

Use “longdesc” attribute of IMAGE tag; goes to webpage describing the image.  Many browsers and Assistive Technologies do not support “longdesc”.  Use a “d-link” or another means to provide a long description of the image.

Method: <img src=“scclogo.gif” border=“0” height=“150” width=“200” alt=“Surry Community College Logo” longesc=“logodescription.htm”>

-- Alt text for image maps:  Pursuant to Section (a), text-equivalent alt-text must be provided for each active region of an image
    map. 

-- WCAG 3.4:  Use relative rather than absolute units in markup language attribute values and style sheet property values.  
    [Priority 2].  Relative verses absolute units  allow users to see the complete text on a smaller screen without scrolling.

-- WCAG 10.1:  Until user agents allow users to turn off spawned windows, do not cause pop-ups or other windows to appear and
    do not change the current window without informing the user.  NOTE:  In Content Management Systems developers should
     inform students that tests and links will open in a new window.

-- WCAG 11.2:  Avoid deprecated features of W3C technologies. [Priority 2]
     Change <b> to <strong>.
     Change <i> to <em>.

-- WCAG 13.1 Clearly identify the target of each link.

-- WCAG 14.1:  Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content.