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area with null alt Screen reader compatibility

HTML
Sep 11, 2022

Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers

Actual Result: causes problems in 135 screen reader / browser combinations

For expected failures, the results show which AT combos the failures affect. Results are recorded from the user's viewpoint, so describe the user impact of authoring errors.

Code used for this test:


		<img src='1234.png' alt='' usemap='#area_nullalt_map1'>
		<map id='area_nullalt_map1' name='area_nullalt_map1'>
		   <area alt='' coords='0,0,100,100' href='left_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
		   <area alt='' coords='200,0,300,100' href='right_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
		</map>

Change History

Last updated: September 11, 2022

  • Bad NVDA with Chrome Causes problems from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
  • Bad NVDA with IE Causes problems from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2019.2
  • Bad NVDA with FF Causes problems from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2022.2
  • Bad JAWS with Chrome Causes problems from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Bad JAWS with IE Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
  • Bad JAWS with FF Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Bad VoiceOver macOS Causes problems from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
  • Bad VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
  • Bad WindowEyes with IE Causes problems from WindowEyes 8.4 to WindowEyes 9.2
  • Bad Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
  • Bad SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen readerBrowserModeNotesWhat the user hears
Fail NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Link, link
Fail NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2022.2FF102 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank
Fail NVDA 2022.2FF102 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Link, link
Fail NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2021.2FF91 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank
Fail NVDA 2021.2FF91 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Link, link
Fail NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2020.2FF78 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank
Fail NVDA 2020.2FF78 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Link, link
Fail NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2019.2FF68 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank
Fail NVDA 2019.2FF68 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2019.2IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2019.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Link, link
Fail NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2018.4FF60 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank
Fail NVDA 2018.4FF60 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2018.4IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2018.4IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2017.3FF60 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go Graphic link. Graphic link. Blank
Fail NVDA 2017.3FF60 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link graphic. Link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2017.3IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2017.3IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2016.2FF48 Reading Has same affect as null ALT on IMG element, but hides image map Blank
Fail NVDA 2016.2FF48 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2016.2IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2016.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2015.2FF41 Reading Has same affect as null ALT on IMG element, but hides image map Blank
Fail NVDA 2015.2FF41 Tabbing No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link. Link.
Fail NVDA 2015.2IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2015.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2014.1FF29 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Graphic, link, left arrow, link, right arrow.
Fail NVDA 2014.1FF29 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. Left arrow, link, right arrow, link graphic.
Fail NVDA 2014.1IE11 Reading No indication what graphic is, or where links go. Link link.
Fail NVDA 2014.1IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Graphic, slash left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Slash right underline arrow, image map link graphic.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Graphic link, slash left underline arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right underline arrow dot HTM.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow, image map link graphic.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow, image map link graphic.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Tab, left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Tab, left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Tab, right underline arrow, image map link graphic.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Tab, slash left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Reading Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Tab, left underline arrow, image map. Tab, right underline arrow, image map.
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Tab, slash left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Reading Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map. Right underline arrow, image map.
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350FF41 Reading Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350FF41 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Left underline arrow, image map. Right underline arrow, image map.
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Reading Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. Left underline arrow, right underline arrow, image map.
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Reading Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. Left underline arrow, right underline arrow, image map.
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail JAWS 13.0.852FF29 Reading image map ignored
Fail JAWS 13.0.852FF29 Tabbing Wrong text read for first link, silence for second link. Tab. Reads previous heading. Tab
Fail JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow.
Fail JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link.
Fail WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM
Fail WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM
Fail WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM
Fail WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Tabbing Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name
Fail VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Reading Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Tabbing Link URL gibberish read out. Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 14.7Safari iOS 14.7TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 13.3Safari iOS 13.3TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 12.4Safari iOS 12.4TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 11.4Safari iOS 11.4TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 10.3Safari iOS 10.3TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 9.1Safari iOS 9.1TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 8.4Safari iOS 8.4TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 7.1Safari iOS 7.1TouchLink URL gibberish read out. Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link.
Fail Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Reading No indication of link purpose Link. Link.
Fail Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Tabbing No indication of link purpose Link. Link.
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Reading No indication of link purpose Link, link
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Tabbing No indication of link purpose Link, link

SortSite rules: AccHtmlAreaNoAlt

Test notes

All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.

Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:

  • Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
  • Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
  • Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
  • Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device

In the “What the user hears” column:

  • Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
  • Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
  • Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
  • (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear