SVG images are becoming an increasingly popular way to add visual appeal to web pages and applications. Although these vector-based graphics are visually appealing, they may not be accessible to all users, leaving out those who rely on screen readers to access content.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your SVG images accessible to everyone. By adding alt text to your SVG images, you can ensure that everyone can access and understand your visuals.
This guide will provide you with the information you need to ensure your SVG images are accessible to everyone. We’ll cover the basics of adding alt text to your SVG images, as well as the benefits of doing so. Let’s get started.
What are SVG images?
SVG images are created by combining images with code that creates the visual elements.
SVG images are often called “static SVGs.” Because of this, images are static, meaning that the code is the only thing that adds the visual.
Unlike the interactivity of HTML, SVG does not use tags such as “a” or “button” to create visual elements. Instead, visual elements are created with code. This means that complex visual elements can be created with simple markup language. For example, you can create a ball that rolls down a path.
Why are text alternatives important for SVG images?
If you’re designing a website, app, or dashboard, you’ll want your content to be accessible to as many people as possible.
As the number of users relying on assistive technology such as screen readers increases, the need for an accessible web has become even more crucial.
And while accessibility is important for all websites, it is especially important for visual content. The difficulty of reading text-only content can make it difficult to access and understand.
When designing for accessibility, you need to ensure that anyone can use the content. Providing alternative text to images allows users to listen to the content with programs that read text aloud, such as screen readers.
You don’t want some of your content to be unreadable by some users due to a disability. Providing text alternatives for your images can allow everyone to enjoy your visual content.
How to add text alternatives to SVG images using the “title” + “descr” method.
- Use the “title” tag: As with traditional images, SVG images must also have a textual alternative. The “title” tag is used to provide an alternative text description for the SVG content. Additionally, this tag can be read in most browsers and assistive devices, so it is good practice to include it in all SVG images.
- Use the “desc” tag: The “desc” tag is used to provide a more detailed description of the SVG content. This tag is not read by most browsers and assistive devices, but can be useful to provide additional information about the image.
- Use concise and descriptive alt text: As with traditional images, it is important to provide concise and descriptive alt text for SVG images. Alt text should describe the content and function of the image clearly and concisely.
Advantages of adding text alternatives to SVG images
One of the main reasons for adding text alternatives to your SVG images is to ensure that anyone can access and understand your visual elements.
People with visual impairments, for example, may not be able to read text-only content, which can make it difficult to navigate the web and access content.
However, if you add text alternatives to your visual content, these users will be able to hear what you have to say. This allows everyone to enjoy the content and be fully present in their environment.
Tips for inserting accessible SVG images and writing their text alternatives effectively.
When inserting SVG images and their respective textual alternatives, you should ensure that their alternatives are effective by following some guidelines.
- Use clear titles to make the content more accessible. This can help people with low vision or low literacy read your content.
- Reduce the text as much as possible, but without interfering with simple understanding. Too much text can be difficult to read and understand, while too little can make visual elements appear incomplete.
- Make sure visual elements are clear.
- Avoid using too many images. This can make the information difficult to understand.
- Avoid using too many colors in SVG images. This can confuse visually impaired users.
- Avoid using too many symbols in your SVG images. This can confuse users.
- Avoid using misleading words.
Examples of effective textual alternatives for SVG images
As with many types of content, you can write effective text alternatives for your SVG images based on the visual content of the SVG image itself.
In this example, the SVG image shows our Accessible Web logo. The text alternatives for the visual element in this example would be “Your Accessible Website Logo.
The SVG image simply shows our logo, so we could insert a corresponding “title” and a “descr” tag that complements said title. For example:
See the Pen
Accessible bee SVG using
on CodePen.
Conclusion
SVG images are becoming an increasingly popular way to add visual appeal to web pages and applications.
Although these vector-based graphics are visually appealing, they may not be accessible to all users, leaving out those who rely on screen readers.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your SVG images accessible to everyone. By adding alt text to your SVG images, you can ensure that everyone can access and understand your visuals.
If you have questions regarding web accessibility, contact us and we will resolve all your doubts in this regard.
