Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# G82: Providing a text alternative that identifies the purpose of the non-text content

## Applicability

Applies to all technologies

This technique relates to:

- Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content)
  - How to Meet 1.1.1 (Non-text Content)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content)

## Description

The purpose of this technique is to provide useful information via the text alternative even if the full function of the non-text content cannot be provided.

Sometimes, a text alternative cannot serve the same purpose as the original non-text content (for example an applet meant to develop two dimensional rapid targeting skills and eye hand coordination.) In these cases this technique is used. With this technique a description of the purpose of the non-text content is provided.

## Examples

### Example 1

- An eye-hand coordination development applet has the following text alternative "Applet that uses the mouse and moving targets to develop eye-hand coordination"

- A camera applet that has a round disk where you push on the edges to control a remote camera and a slider in the middle for zooming has the following text alternative "Control for aiming and zooming remote video camera".

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

## Related Techniques

- G196: Using a text alternative on one item within a group of images that describes all items in the group
- H35: Providing text alternatives on applet elements
- H36: Using alt attributes on images used as submit buttons
- H37: Using alt attributes on img elements
- H53: Using the body of the object element
- H86: Providing text alternatives for ASCII art, emoticons, and leetspeak

## Tests

### Procedure

1. remove, hide, or mask the non-text content

2. replace it with the text alternative

3. check that the purpose of the non-text content is clear - even if function is lost.

### Expected Results

- #3 is true.

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