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Cornell University

Web Accessibility Reviews

All Guidelines

2

Decorative images must have empty alternative text or be otherwise hidden from assistive technology.

WGAC 2 criterion 1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)
Category Images
ACT Rules

WCAG 2 criterion

1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A)

Tools and requirements

  • WAVE Extension + Manual Evaluation
  • ANDI
  • Siteimprove

Test procedure

This guideline is targeted at "decorative images." Please refer to the image categorization guidance in the Definitions section if you are unsure which category the image you are assessing belongs to.

Decorative images include images that are fully described in text positioned directly adjacent to the image.

Inspect any decorative images and determine the following.

  • If the <img> tag or role="img" is used
    • The attribute and value alt="" must be applied to the decorative image.
  • If the <svg> tag is used
    • The attribute and value aria-hidden="true" must be applied to the decorative image.
  • If CSS background images are used, there is no further requirement for decorative images.

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