Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Top Right MenuHomeGlossaryUsability.gov
Provide Client-Side Image Maps
Guideline:
To improve accessibility, provide client-side image maps instead of server-side image maps.
Comment:
Client-side image maps can be made fully accessible, whereas server-side image maps cannot be made accessible without employing a text alternative for each section of the map. To make client-side image maps accessible, each region within the map should be assigned alt text that can be read by a screen reader or other assistive device. Designers must ensure that redundant text links are provided for each active region of a server-side image map.
Relative Importance:
This guideline has a relative importance rating of 3.
Strength of Evidence:
This guideline has a strength of evidence rating of 3.