10 Common Errors When Implementing Accessibility
By Trenton Moss2008-01-29
Don't use verbose ALT text
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Accessible web developers often insert far too much ALT text on to images, in the hope that this will help screen reader users. ALT text for information-based images should be short and succinct, and contain no more and no less information than what's in the image.
Decorative images should always be given null ALT text, or alt="",
so that they're ignored by screen readers. Assigning ALT text that adds
no real value makes it harder for screen reader users to work through
the page as so much unnecessary content is being sent in their
direction.
Tutorial Pages:
» Introduction
» Don't use verbose ALT text
» Don't use random characters to separate links
» Don't insert text into empty form fields for the sake of it
» Don't use access keys
» Don't use the table summary (unless it actually adds value)
» Don't forget about the content
» Don't worry too much about accessibility statements
» Don't agonise over acronyms and abbreviations
» Don't change the tab order (unless you have a very good reason to do so)
» Don't forget to listen with a screen reader
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