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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, a figure label might best be pronounced as “figure 3”, avoiding
both the issue of the 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