Accessibility · Lesson 2 of 8 · 7 minutes

Accessibility: Image alternatives

Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".

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Your objectives

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1
Build image alternatives
Build this first target: <img> (src="entrance.png", alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"). Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<img src="entrance.png" alt="Step-free entrance on the east side">
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
2
Extend the image alternatives example
Extend your file to include: <img> (src="entrance.png", alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"); <img> (src="flourish.svg", alt). Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<img src="entrance.png" alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"><img src="flourish.svg" alt="">
```
Common mistake to avoid: Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.
3
Verify the complete image alternatives pattern
Finish the pattern with: <figure>; <img> inside <figure> (src="entrance.png", alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"); <figcaption> inside <figure> containing “Workshop entrance.”; <img> (src="flourish.svg", alt). Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<figure><img src="entrance.png" alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"><figcaption>Workshop entrance.</figcaption></figure><img src="flourish.svg" alt="">
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.

Understand the pattern

Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".

Misconceptions to reject

A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

<figure><img src="entrance.png" alt="Step-free entrance on the east side"><figcaption>Workshop entrance.</figcaption></figure><img src="flourish.svg" alt="">

Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains image alternatives?Write alt text for the image purpose in this context, not every visual detail. Decorative images use alt="".A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse image alternatives in a different project. What must still be verified?Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.The meaning, relationships, and accessible names in the new document.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

Next: Accessibility: Landmark labels Try an incident drill

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