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LibGuide Author Style Guide

Preferred practices for LibGuide authors

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Make images accessible

By following the basic principles outlined here, we can make our LibGuides more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

  • Adding alternative text to images is one of the easiest accessibility practices to implement. 
  • Alternative text may be provided in the HTML alt attribute or in the surrounding context of the image.
  • Every image must have an alt attribute.
  • Decorative images still need an alt attribute.
  • Alternative text should:
    • present the CONTENT and FUNCTION of the image.
    • be succinct.
  • Alt text of a functional image (e.g., an image within a link) should describe the function as well as the content.
  • Alternative text should not:
    • be redundant (be the same as adjacent or body text).
    • use the phrases "image of…" or "graphic of…".
  • Appropriate alternative text depends heavily on the image's context. Use this Alt Text Decision Tree to guide your choices.

(WebAIM: 2014)