◇◆
<long-desc> Long Description
Full description or summary of the content of an object such as a graphic, table,
figure, or text box, typically used to make the object accessible.
Usage/Remarks
The long description is a non-visual element used by systems such as pronouncing screen
readers to make the object accessible to people or systems that cannot read/see/display
the object.
Long Description Contents
This element contains a detailed textual description of a visual object, intended
to convey the same information a sighted user would learn from looking at the object.
For interchange purposes, the description should be in this element in the XML file.
For display in web-based environments, it is common to put the textual content on
a separate page from the main document, and point to that display page using a URL.
Accessibility
Please reserve this tag for
accessibility uses such as pronouncing screen readers. The <long-desc> is not a
visual element; rather, its purpose is to be spoken in circumstances where the visual
form of the object cannot be viewed. This element differs from the <alt-text> element in both length and purpose. An <alt-text> is typically very short, for quick scan reading by a screen reader or showing as
words behind a graphic. The
<long-desc> is
meant for an extended description of an object such as a figure, table, graphic, etc.,
for example, a textual summary of a pie chart that explains both the visual form of
the chart and significance of its findings.
Best Practice
The <long-desc> element should not be used as a replacement for <caption>, which is a visual element typically displayed alongside a figure, table, etc. Because
a screen reader will pronounce the content of the <caption>, repeating the content of the <caption> in the <long-desc> is discouraged. If the <caption>, or the text of the article, adequately describes the meaning of the visual object,
a <long-desc> is not required.
Attributes
Multi-lang Attributes
Namespaces
Models and Context
May be contained in
Description
Text, numbers, or special characters, zero or more
Content Model
<!ELEMENT long-desc (#PCDATA %long-desc-elements;)* >
Expanded Content Model
(#PCDATA)*
Tagged Sample
Table
...
<table-wrap>
<caption>
<title>The Size/Price Paradox</title>
</caption>
<long-desc>Table is a price comparison of some
unknown objects that are identified only by
color as Red and Green. The price of small,
medium, and large objects is given for each
color, with Green objects getting cheaper with
increasing size, from $3.25 for small to $2.25
for medium to $1.15 for large. In contrast, Red
objects get more expensive with size, with small
costing $3.25, medium for $5.25, and large for $9.95.
</long-desc>
<table rules="rows">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Color</th>
<th>Size</th>
<th>Price</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td rowspan="3">Green</td>
<td>small</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>medium</td>
<td>$2.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>large</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="3">Red</td>
<td>small</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>medium</td>
<td>$5.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>large</td>
<td>$9.95</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</table-wrap>
...Related Resources
- See: Accessibility