- Success Criterion 1.1.1
- Conformance level A
Star Rating Shown Only as Images, Never as Text
1.1.1 — Non-text Content
Scenario
Setting
A community forum's discussion thread
What’s wrong
Rating widgets shown as star images with no text equivalent ("3 of 5 stars").
Example
Consider a community forum's discussion thread: rating widgets shown as star images with no text equivalent ("3 of 5 stars").
Why it matters
Blind and low-vision people using screen readers, and anyone who browses with images disabled, when icons or photos carry meaning. On a community forum's discussion thread specifically, they get no equivalent for the sound or picture content.
How to test
Check the accessible name of a star-rating widget: it should read as text like '3 of 5 stars', not just visually filled/empty star icons.
How to fix
Provide the rating as text (e.g., '3 of 5 stars') with the star graphics hidden or labeled.
Outcome
Fixed, a visitor to a community forum's discussion thread can understand the image, video, or audio content.
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)
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