• Success Criterion 1.1.1
  • Conformance level A

Figure Caption That Doesn’t Describe Its Own Image

1.1.1 — Non-text Content

Scenario

Setting

A public library's catalog search

What’s wrong

Figure/figcaption misuse where the caption doesn't describe the image and no alt exists.

Example 

<figure>
  <img src="book-cover-hobbit.jpg">
  <figcaption>Available in 3 branches</figcaption>
</figure>

Why it matters

A patron searching the catalog by screen reader hears "available in 3 branches" but never learns which book that even refers to, since the cover itself is silent.

How to test

Compare the figcaption text to the image's own alt attribute: figcaption should add commentary, not substitute for a missing alt — check the image separately still has one.

How to fix

Give the image its own accurate alt in addition to the caption. A figcaption usually adds separate context; it isn't a substitute for alt text.

<figure>
  <img src="book-cover-hobbit.jpg" alt="Cover of 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien">
  <figcaption>Available in 3 branches</figcaption>
</figure>

Outcome

A patron hears both the book title and its availability, matching what a sighted patron sees at a glance.

Who is affected

Blind and low-vision patrons browsing search results with cover images and availability captions need both pieces of information.

Learn more

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