Non-Text Elements

Non-text elements (such as Pictures, Clip Art, Shapes, Smart Art, Charts and Graphs) can help make your documents and websites more interesting and attractive. In addition graphs, charts and any text within a shape are likely to form a vital part of the information you want to give to your readers.

Screen-reading software cannot recognise the information in non-text elements unless an alternative text-based description has been provided. This alternative text is unseen by readers but is the only way in which screen-reading software can access the information.