Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# G95: Providing short text alternatives that provide a brief description 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

This technique is used when the text needed to serve the same purpose and present the same information as the original non-text content is too lengthy or when this goal cannot be achieved with text alone. In that case this technique is used to provide a short text alternative that briefly describes the non-text content. (A long text alternative is then provided using another technique such that the combination serves the same purpose and presents the same information as the original non-text content.)

In deciding what text to include in the alternative, it is often a good idea to consider the following questions:

- Why is this non-text content here?

- What information is it presenting?

- What purpose does it fulfill?

- If I could not use the non-text content, what words would I use to convey the same function and/or information?

## Examples

- A chart showing sales for October has an short text alternative of "October sales chart". It also has a long description that provides all of the information on the chart.

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

## Related Techniques

- G74: Providing a long description in text near the non-text content, with a reference to the location of the long description in the short description
- G73: Providing a long description in another location with a link to it that is immediately adjacent to the non-text content
- G92: Providing long description for non-text content that serves the same purpose and presents the same information
- G94: Providing short text alternative for non-text content that serves the same purpose and presents the same information as the non-text content

## Tests

### Procedure

1. Check for the presence of a short text alternative that provides a brief description of the non-text content.

### Expected Results

- Check #1 is true.

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