Understanding SC 1.1.1 Non-text Content

Authored By :Sathish Kumar Last Updated :May 1, 2023 Perceivable, WCAG

1.1.1 Non-Text Content

1.1.1 Non-text Content: All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below. (Level A)

Controls, Input: If non-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a name that describes its purpose. (Refer to Guideline 4.1 for additional requirements for controls and content that accepts user input.)

Time-Based Media: If non-text content is time-based media, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content. (Refer to Guideline 1.2 for additional requirements for media.)

Test: If non-text content is a test or exercise that would be invalid if presented in text, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

Sensory: If non-text content is primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

CAPTCHA: If the purpose of non-text content is to confirm that content is being accessed by a person rather than a computer, then text alternatives that identify and describe the purpose of the non-text content are provided, and alternative forms of CAPTCHA using output modes for different types of sensory perception are provided to accommodate different disabilities.

Decoration, Formatting, Invisible: If non-text content is pure decoration, is used only for visual formatting, or is not presented to users, then it is implemented in a way that it can be ignored by assistive technology.

This success criterion requires that any non-text content that includes active images (imagelinks), area maps, informative images, complex charts and graphs, CSS images, decorative images, input image controls, CAPTCHA and audio and video contents must have text alternatives. Out of these non-text elements, prerecorded audio and video, live audio and video are specifically handled in SC guideline 1.2.

What types of images are we talking about here?

We are talking about:

Image links: images buried inside anchors and redirect you to destinations
Area maps: Areas that trigger different actions/different destinations
Informative images: images that are meant to inform users
Purely decorative: images that are here to decorate your pages and appeal to users
CSS images: Self explains Input type=”images”: That submits a form
CAPTCHAs: Confirms whether we are human
Audio and video file images: Images that play audio or video contents
Complex charts and graphs: explains themselves

How are we to fix them?

WCAG’s sufficient techniques are not exhaustive as new ways would emerge. Yet, we suggest you have a look at them.

But here are a few of the for you:

Alt attribute: Works on img tags; let the values be meaningful and impregnated with equivalent purpose of the image!
Role=”img” and aria-label: works on anchors, CSS images
Title attribute: Works on imagelinks
Role=”presentation” or alt=””: Works on decorative images
Value or name attribute: Works on input type=”image”.
Plane text on the page: Every media content would accept and would users far and wide.

Points to Ponder

Always provide alternative options like audio or OTP (one time password) for CAPTCHA.
Always provide textual summary or description for complex charts and graphs apart form shot alt text.
Always use title attribute for additional info while using alt attribute in image links.

Useful A11Y Resources on Non-text Content

References

Understanding Success Criterion 1.1.1

Explore our WCAG Checklist

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Sathish Kumar

Digital accessibility is my passion. Working with as many industry leaders, striving to achieve digital inclusiveness and spread #a11y awareness in every
nuke and corner of the digital world!