Describing images.
WHAT THE PURPOSE IS
Conveying what the image communicates, to someone who cannot see it.
WHAT TO WRITE
What the image conveys in its context.
WHAT NOT TO WRITE
A description of the picture, irrespective of purpose The filename "Image of"
WHAT DEPENDS ON CONTEXT
The same photograph needs different text depending on why it is there.
Illustrating a product: describe the product.
Illustrating a location: describe the location.
WHAT TO DO FOR DECORATIVE IMAGES
Mark them as decorative, so they are skipped.
WHAT COUNTS AS DECORATIVE
Anything adding nothing beyond the adjacent text.
WHAT TO DO FOR IMAGES CONTAINING TEXT
Include the text.
Better still, do not put text in images.
WHAT TO DO FOR CHARTS
Describe the finding, and provide the underlying figures.
WHAT LENGTH
As short as conveys the meaning.
WHAT TO DO FOR ICONS USED AS BUTTONS
Describe the action, not the symbol.
WHAT TO CHECK
Whether the page still makes sense with images replaced by their text.
