alt
Alternative Text
Word or phrase that serves as a textual alternative for the element.
Remarks
Usage: 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, to differentiate, for example, as part of an <abbrev>, that the WHO should not pronounced as the “who”, but rather pronounced as the “W.H.O.” or as the “World Health Organization”.
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 “;-( ”).
Used on these Elements:
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Text, numbers, or special characters | Simple textual 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. |
Example
...
<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>
...