Making Your Images Web Accessible: Why It’s Essential and How to Do It Right

As more organizations focus on inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring your website is accessible to all users has never been more important. While many associate web accessibility with text and navigational elements, images also play a crucial role. Properly optimizing your images for accessibility can significantly improve the online experience for users with disabilities, making your website more inclusive and user-friendly.

So, why does image accessibility matter? For starters, only some experience images in the same way. Visually impaired people rely on screen readers to interpret the content on a webpage. If your images lack proper descriptions or alternative text (alt text), screen readers won’t be able to convey what’s on the screen, leaving users with an incomplete picture. This can lead to confusion and frustration, ultimately pushing users away from your site.

Another key reason to focus on accessible images is to comply with legal standards. Accessibility isn’t just a best practice; it’s a requirement. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set standards that websites must meet to ensure they are accessible to all. Failure to comply can result in costly lawsuits and damage your brand’s reputation.

One of the simplest ways to make your images accessible is by adding descriptive alt text. Alt text is an alternative to the image, describing its content to users who can’t see it. A good alt text should be concise, clear, and relevant to the image’s purpose. For example, instead of generic descriptions like “image of a person,” opt for more specific descriptions such as “a woman using a laptop in a cafe, smiling as she types.” This level of detail helps screen reader users better understand the image’s context.

But alt text is only the beginning. Another important factor to consider is the use of captions and image descriptions. While alt text is crucial for screen readers, captions can enhance the visual experience for all users, providing additional context and information. This is especially important for complex images like infographics or charts, where more than a short alt text may be needed.

Next, don’t forget about decorative images. These visual elements serve an aesthetic purpose but don’t add to the content or meaning of a webpage. Examples include background patterns or purely decorative icons. For these types of images, use an empty alt attribute (alt=””) to signal to screen readers that the image is not essential, allowing them to skip over it and focus on the content that matters.

Ensuring your images are accessible goes beyond just text descriptions. File format and image size also impact accessibility. Large image files can slow down loading times, making it difficult for users with slower internet connections or older devices to access your site. Compressing images and using appropriate file formats like JPEG or PNG can improve load times and create a smoother user experience for everyone.

It’s also crucial to consider color contrast and readability. People with color blindness or other visual impairments may struggle to interpret images with poor contrast. Ensure there’s sufficient contrast between the image and any text overlaid. You can use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure your images meet WCAG standards.

Finally, test your website for accessibility. Numerous tools, such as WAVE and Lighthouse, can help you identify any gaps in your image accessibility efforts. Regular testing ensures your site remains compliant and accessible as you add new content and images.

In today’s digital world, web accessibility is more than just a checklist item—it’s a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive experience for all users. By making your images accessible, you comply with legal standards and show that your brand values inclusivity. It’s a win-win situation that benefits both your business and your audience.