◇◆

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&#x00A0;III.</label>
OPTIONAL on many elements; click for list and usage

<abbrev>, <label>, <named-content>, <styled-content>, <xref>

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