- Success Criterion 1.1.1
- Conformance level A
- W3C reference F72
ASCII Art With No Text Description for Screen Readers
1.1.1 — Non-text Content
Scenario
Setting
A music streaming app's playlist screen
What’s wrong
ASCII art (pictures drawn with characters) has no text alternative — screen readers read out streams of random punctuation.
Example
On a music streaming app's playlist screen, a visitor hits this wall: ASCII art (pictures drawn with characters) has no text alternative — screen readers read out streams of random punctuation.
Why it matters
Blind and low-vision people using screen readers, and anyone who browses with images disabled, when icons or photos carry meaning. In this case (a music streaming app's playlist screen), they miss information that's only conveyed visually.
How to test
Select any ASCII-art block (made of characters like /, , |, *) and check for a nearby text description or aria-hidden wrapper — absence of either fails.
How to fix
Give ASCII art a text alternative and hide the art from assistive technology.
Outcome
Once corrected, a music streaming app's playlist screen lets them hear or read what the media conveys.
Who is affected
Blind and low-vision people using screen readers, and anyone who browses with images disabled, when icons or photos carry meaning.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
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