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alt Alternative Text
Word or phrase that serves as a textual alternative for the element.
Usage/Remarks
Accessibility Best Practice
Please reserve this attribute for accessibility uses such as
pronouncing screen readers. For example, it could be used to provide a textual interpretation
of an
emoticon (for example, “wink, frown” for the emoticon “;-( ”).
Examples of Use
Provides, for the elements on which it is allowed, the same type of service for pronouncing
screen readers and other accessibility software as the element <alt-text> provides for graphics and other objects. This attribute contains a word or phrase
used to provide a very short textual alternative to a component such as an abbreviation
or cross-reference. The content of the attribute can be used for special accessibility
presentation, for example, to differentiate (as content of an <abbrev> element) that the WHO should not be pronounced as the “who”, but rather be pronounced
as the “W.H.O.” or as the “World Health Organization”.
A <label> might also need to be pronounced in a way that is not reflected in its content or
its tagging. The @alt attribute can record the pronunciation for screen readers and other accessibility
devices. For example, the figure label below might best be pronounced as “figure 3”,
avoiding the issues of the abbreviation, any non-breaking-space character, and the
roman numerals.
<label alt="figure 3">Fig III.</label>
OPTIONAL on many elements; click for list and usage
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Text, numbers, or special characters | Simple words or phrases provided as a textual alternative to its element, for example, a phrase to be pronounced by screen readers. |
| Restriction | @alt is an optional attribute; there is no default. |
Tagged Sample
Alternative pronunciation for an acronym
...
<p><bold>Background:</bold> The disabilities of the arm, shoulder
and hand (<abbrev alt="D.A.S.H.">DASH</abbrev>) questionnaire is a
self-administered region-specific outcome instrument ...</p>
...Related Resources
- See: Accessibility