Images of Text
Summary:
WCAG 1.4.5, "Images of Text," addresses the need to minimize the use of text within images. It's about ensuring that text is primarily presented in a readable, live format that can be customized and accessed by assistive technologies, rather than being embedded within an image.
What:
This criterion advises against using images to display text unless absolutely necessary. When text is embedded in images, it's not accessible to screen readers, can't be resized like normal text, and doesn't adapt well to different screen sizes and resolutions.
Why:
Text in images poses significant barriers to accessibility. Screen readers can't currently interpret it, users can't adjust its size or font for better readability, and it doesn't always scale well on different devices. Using live text, as opposed to text in images, ensures that content is accessible to a wider range of users, including those with visual impairments or reading disabilities.
Examples and Scenarios:
- Buttons and Icons: Use CSS and HTML to create buttons with text, rather than embedding text in an image of a button.
- Banners and Headings: Instead of graphic headers or banners with text, use styled HTML text to ensure scalability and readability.
- Infographics: Provide a text-based alternative or summary for the information presented in infographics.
How to Comply:
- Websites: Utilize web fonts and CSS styles to create visually appealing text that remains accessible and adaptable.
- Mobile Apps: Avoid using images as the primary method to display text; instead, use dynamic text that can interact with accessibility features of the device.
- Software Applications: Ensure that any text displayed within the application is not rendered as an image, allowing for text customization and accessibility features.
Exceptions:
- Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name is exempt from this rule, as it is often artistically rendered and unique to the brand identity.
- Essential Images of Text: If the presentation of text is essential for the information being conveyed or for branding purposes, it is permitted (like a scanned document or a specific design choice).