How to Create Accessible Graphics

Most HTML editors make it easy to add alt attributes to graphics. In Macromedia Dreamweaver, for example, you simple select the image then add the alternative text in the Alt text of the properties box.

Screenshot of Dreamweaver 4 property box with Alt text input box highlighted

In Microsoft's Frontpage 2000, you double click on the image to bring up the Picture Properties dialog box. You then add the text alternative to the Text field under "Alternative representations".

Screenshot of Frontpage2000 Picture Properties dialog box with Text input for alt tag highlighted

Other editors have similar functions for adding alternative text. Consult your editor's documentation for instructions on how to add an alt attribute.

Now that we have a better idea of what an alt attribute is and how simple it is to add an alt tag to an image, let's talk about what the alt attribute should contain.

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This Tutorial is reproduced on this site with the kind permission of WebAIM. For additional information and resources on web accessibility please visit http://www.webaim.org.