Charts, diagrams, and infographics have a full description or the data in text, not just a short label.
Why it matters
A short alt text like “Sales chart” tells a screen reader user that a chart exists, not what it shows.
If the lesson depends on the trend or the numbers, learners need them in words or a table.
What passing looks like
- Short alt text says what the image is and where the full description is.
- A full description or data table carries the key information.
- The text around it states the takeaway.
Example
Alt text: Chart of incident reports.
The problem: The lesson asks learners to spot the trend, and the alt text never gives it.
Alt text: Line chart of monthly incident reports, described below. Below the chart: Reports held near 40 a month from January to May, then fell to about 20 a month after training in June.
What Pedagrade can’t tell
Pedagrade reads your course’s text and storyboard. It is not a technical scan of the built course. Before launch, pair it with a tool like WAVE or axe and a quick keyboard test.
This check is covered by Pedagrade’s published accuracy tests. See the accuracy report.
Learn more
- W3C, Images Tutorial: Complex Images
- W3C, Understanding Success Criterion 1.1.1: Non-text Content
- Pedagrade guide: WCAG checklist for e-learning
Check your own course against this.
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