[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #26270: TITLE attribute valued over ALT attribute in Edit Media

[WordPress Trac]

#26270: TITLE attribute valued over ALT attribute in Edit Media
---------------------------+----------------------
 Reporter:  yaelkmiller    |       Owner:
     Type:  enhancement    |      Status:  closed
 Priority:  normal         |   Milestone:
Component:  Accessibility  |     Version:  3.7.1
 Severity:  normal         |  Resolution:  invalid
 Keywords:                 |
---------------------------+----------------------

Comment (by grahamarmfield):

 Replying to [comment:9 helen]:
 > I don't really know the history behind why this behavior is in place.
 However, I would suggest shifting the thought process a little bit - we
 are using "title" in the UI not as the title attribute, but rather a
 human-friendly title that is used in a variety of places that doesn't
 actually include the title attribute.

 I appreciate that now. Can I suggest therefore that we use a less
 ambiguous input field label - like 'Image name' perhaps.

 This would remove the confusion at a stroke if this is the way that
 WordPress is to behave.

 >Since alt attributes are required (and for good reason), it makes sense
 to fall back to something that's likely to be populated.

 It's the presence of the alt attribute that is important, but the contents
 of the alt attribute need to be appropriate. My current view is that it
 would be better to have an empty alt attribute (ignored by screen readers)
 than one with potentially meaningless text in it - example 'IMAG0015'. But
 that is just my view.

 >If somebody knows what alt text is for, they have the ability to make it
 different if so desired.

 That's a key point Helen - the alt attribute is also useful where the
 image doesn't get downloaded, or people browse with images switched off.

 Perhaps we need a small redesign of the user interface to clarify and to
 help the users. Maybe:
 * Call the Title field Image Name instead.
 * Have an Alternate Test field next that has some help attached to it (in
 the label or elsewhere?) that prompts the user to describe image for
 screen readers or if image doesn't show on page.
 * The caption field.
 * Remove description field altogether - what is it for?

--
Ticket URL: <http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/26270#comment:10>
WordPress Trac <http://core.trac.wordpress.org/>
WordPress blogging software