Accessibility: image alt-longdesc

How should the longdesc document be coded?

[NickH]

I'm planning to add longdesc to a number of images on my site. Does anyone know the best way to code the document that contains the long description?

1) Can the document be plain text, as opposed to HTML?

2) How does someone return from such a document? Should an explicit return link be provided, or is that functionality usually handled by the user agent?

3) Are longdesc documents indexed by Google?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

[SuzyUK]

Hi Nick H

haven't used them but check this page: [w3.org].

My interpretation of this....

It seems that they would be HTML documents then you could provide a link back. Also it appears that not all UA's support this so they are advising providing a text link too.

>>indexed by google

I would think yes if they are an HTML document especially if you provide the text link as mentioned above

Suzy

[NickH]

Thanks, Suzy.

I think you're right -- an HTML document is the way to go.

I wonder, though, how best to enable return from the document. Home Page Reader allows you to press the back key combination, as probably do other screen readers, but it would be nice to provide a link as well.

One option is <link rel="up">, which I'll definitely include. But not all UAs support this, so, assuming JavaScript is out, what is the most economical solution? I'd really like to avoid placing an id on each longdesced image.

Any other ideas, anyone?

Nick