[Nfb-web] alt vs title

[Lloyd Rasmussen]

I think that Window-Eyes uses the title attribute when an alt is not found.
I didn't read the references cited in a subsequent message.  In the Lynx
text-mode browser, alt text is shown in-line with other text, in HTML order,
with no attempt to position this text in any way.  In Internet Explorer, and
presumably other graphical browsers, alt text is like a tooltip that pops up
when the mouse hovers over a graphic which has this text.  I don't know
where the tooltip is positioned on the browser screen, but it is not in line
with surrounding text in HTML order, as we see it in the browse buffer
(virtual cursor) of a screen reader.  So my understanding was that the title
attribute may not appear on screen visually, but can give screen reader
users a clue to the meaning of a graphic without causing distraction to
sighted web users.  How this plays out for magnification users and others, I
don't know.  And if I'm all wet, I hope someone sets me straight.  I know
that Window-Eyes can read title attributes on elements, but I am not clear
on when this comes into play and how much of it is the default behavior.

Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-web-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-web-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Michael Hansen
> Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2009 6:52 AM
> To: NFB Webmaster's List
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-web] alt vs title
> 
> Personally I have never used the title attribute. I have only used the
> alt attribute to provide descriptions of graphics. I am not sure that
> the screen readers used by the blind even make use of the title
> attribute.
> 
> Does anyone on the list know if JAWS or WindowEyes make use of the
> titel attribute in any way?
> 
> Mike
> 
> On 4/10/09, Robin Brunner <compuplace at ecc-cr.net> wrote:
> > Every link has a tab index
> > For images which are also links:
> > I have alt attribute with the <img> tag
> > and title attribute with the <a> tag
> > Should I
> > add titles to images which are NOT links
> > but which already have alt attributes?
> > I'm green, and striving for
> > best inclusive design without too much noise.
> > Thank you.
> > Robin Switzer Brunner
> > CompuPlace Director
> > 601 Second Ave SE #3
> > Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-1305
> > 319-362-4284
> > compuplace at ecc-cr.net
> > www.ecc-cr.net
> > _______________________________________________