Web Development
Web Developer Guidelines
Visual Design Recommendations

Checkpoint 1.7 - Java

All objects have been implemented using the AccessibleDescription method if sufficient information is not provided via the AccessibleName method

WCAG 1.0 Priority 1

WCAG Guideline 1. Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content.

The accessible description of an object is a more verbose explanation and should be provided in cases where additional information may be useful. Normally, an assistive technology will retrieve the description when the user makes a request for more information about an object.

Requirement

All objects have been implemented using the AccessibleDescription method if sufficient information is not provided via the AccessibleName method

Recommendation

Graphics and icons need to implement AccessibleDescription to give the user sufficient information to understand the purpose of the graphic or icon. In Java, this is equivalent to the alt attribute of an HTML <img> element.

  • If AccessibleDescription has not been implemented, a screen reader will not read any description information
  • The description is intended to be a more verbose explanation
  • The description should be provided in cases where additional information needed
  • Assistive technologies retrieve the description whenever a user requests it

Checking Tool

Test with the screen reader to verify controls and objects are read. Tab or arrow to objects and controls on the screen and make sure the screen reader reads the label and object information.

Information Source

The original source of this information is located on the W3C web site  (www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-TECHS/#tech-text-equivalent)

 

Back to top