RE: 1.1.1, Text Alternative, Title Attribute OK?

Hi Jim, 

 

1.	Accessible name may not be present on devices that don't support
hover (e.g., mobile devices)
2.	The tooltip is only available to people using a pointing device 
3.	Using a title attribute for an accessible name may fail automated
checking applications because they're looking for conventional methods
4.	the title attribute is not suitable for text alternatives more than
about ten words because it cannot be navigated using cursor keys
5.	the title attribute will be computed as an accessible description if
the image uses another method to provide an accessible name which may cause
repetition in some screen readers or mismatching name & description values
6.	using the title attribute is likely to be a misguided developer's
brainwave regarding making content 'more accessible' and should be strongly
discouraged lest this 'technique' makes its way into other components like
buttons 

 

is that enough to convince you it's poor practice?

 

 

 

 

From: Jim Homme <jhomme@benderconsult.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 7:12 AM
To: Wai Interest Group (w3c-wai-ig@w3.org) <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: 1.1.1, Text Alternative, Title Attribute OK?

 

Hi,

I'm seeing images with title attributes rather than alt attributes. JAWS is
reading these OK, but I'm used to seeing alt attributes. 1.1.1 says "text
alternative," so I wanted to ask if that literally only means alt attribute.
If so, please explain.

 

Thanks.

 

Jim

 

Jim Homme, Senior Accessibility Consultant

Bender Consulting Services, Inc. 

#Bender30 #PaychecksNotPity #CompetitiveJobsMeanFreedom

 <mailto:|jhomme@benderconsult.com> |jhomme@benderconsult.com |
<https://benderconsult.com/> benderconsult.com