Missing Image Link Alternative Text Check

Description

The “Missing Image Link Alternative Text Check” evaluates whether there are anchor (<a>) elements that contain only an image where that image has an empty alt attribute (e.g., alt="")

Example outcome

I found 1 link with empty content. In fact, it is composed only by an image and that image has as an empty alternative text equivalent (i.e. alt=ʺʺ).

Impact

• Visual Impairments: Screen readers rely on alt text to announce the purpose of the link. With no alt text, users hear nothing or just “link,” which is meaningless.
• Cognitive Disabilities: Users with cognitive disabilities using text-to-speech or simplified browsing tools will also miss the link’s purpose, leading to confusion.

Fixes

To address missing alt text on an image link:

1. Identify the image lacking alt text.
2. Determine a meaningful alternative text.
3. Add alt text to the image using descriptive language, ensuring it accurately represents the image’s purpose.

Resources

• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criterion 2.4.4
• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criterion 2.4.9
• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criterion 4.1.2
• WCAG 2.2 Techniques: Technique F89: Failure of Success Criteria 2.4.4, 2.4.9 and 4.1.2 due to not providing an accessible name for an image which is the only content in a link
• WebAIM: Alternative Text