Making images inclusive and accessible for all users, including those with disabilities.
Web accessibility isn't just a legal requirement—it's a moral imperative and smart business practice. With over 1 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, making your images accessible opens your content to a significant audience while improving the experience for everyone. This comprehensive guide will show you how to create truly inclusive image experiences.
Alt text (alternative text) is the foundation of image accessibility. It's read by screen readers and displayed when images fail to load.
Image: A golden retriever playing fetch in a park
Alt: "Golden retriever running with a tennis ball in its mouth on green grass"
Why it works: Descriptive, concise, conveys the action and context
Bad: "Dog" (too vague)
Bad: "Image of a dog" (redundant - screen readers announce it's an image)
Bad: "IMG_4567.jpg" (filename, not description)
The same image may need different alt text depending on its context and purpose:
Some images should have empty alt attributes (alt="") to avoid cluttering the screen reader experience:
Complex images like charts, graphs, and infographics require more than simple alt text:
<img
src="sales-chart.png"
alt="Bar chart showing quarterly sales growth"
aria-describedby="chart-description"
>
<div id="chart-description">
<h3>Sales Growth by Quarter</h3>
<p>This chart shows our sales performance over four quarters:</p>
<ul>
<li>Q1: $250,000 (baseline)</li>
<li>Q2: $320,000 (28% increase)</li>
<li>Q3: $390,000 (22% increase)</li>
<li>Q4: $480,000 (23% increase)</li>
</ul>
<p>Overall trend shows consistent growth with strongest performance in Q4.</p>
</div>For infographics, provide structured alternatives that preserve the information hierarchy:
When using image maps or interactive images, ensure all interactive elements are accessible:
<img src="office-floor-plan.png" alt="Office floor plan" usemap="#office-map">
<map name="office-map">
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,100,100"
href="/departments/hr"
alt="Human Resources department - rooms 101-105">
<area shape="rect" coords="100,0,200,100"
href="/departments/it"
alt="IT department - rooms 106-110">
<area shape="circle" coords="250,50,25"
href="/facilities/elevator"
alt="Elevator to floors 2-5">
</map>Animated images and GIFs can cause problems for users with vestibular disorders or seizure conditions:
/* CSS for respecting motion preferences */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.animated-image {
animation: none;
}
.gif-animation {
animation-play-state: paused;
}
}Use ARIA attributes to provide additional context and relationships:
Provides an accessible name when alt text isn't sufficient:
<img src="chart.png" aria-label="Sales increased 45% this quarter">Links to additional descriptive content:
<img src="diagram.png" alt="Network topology" aria-describedby="network-details">For CSS background images or SVGs that convey meaning:
<div role="img" aria-label="Five star rating">★★★★★</div>Use semantic HTML elements to provide additional context:
<figure>
<img src="climate-chart.png"
alt="Line graph showing global temperature rise from 1880 to 2020">
<figcaption>
Global temperature anomalies relative to 1880-1920 average.
Data shows consistent warming trend with 2020 being the second
warmest year on record. Source: NASA GISS.
</figcaption>
</figure>Creating accessible images is an investment in inclusivity that benefits everyone. By providing meaningful alt text, ensuring adequate contrast, and considering the needs of all users, you create a more welcoming and usable web experience.
Remember that accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment. As you add new images and content, always consider how they'll be experienced by users with different abilities and technologies. The small effort required to make images accessible pays huge dividends in creating a truly inclusive digital experience.
Start with the basics—good alt text and proper contrast—then gradually implement more advanced techniques as you become more comfortable with accessibility principles. Every step toward better accessibility makes the web a more inclusive place for everyone.