Alt-Text Compliance Audit

Inspection template for reviewing intranet pages, knowledge articles, and other content for descriptive alternative text on non-decorative images in line with WCAG Success Criterion 1.1.1.

Inspection Scope and Content Identification

• Content location and title documented
  Record the page URL, article title, repository path, or content identifier being audited.
• Content type identified
  Select the content type being reviewed.
• Images in scope counted
  Enter the number of images reviewed on the page or within the content set.
• Non-decorative images identified for alt text review
  Enter the number of images that convey information, function, or meaning and therefore require descriptive alt text.
• Decorative images identified and excluded from alt text requirement
  Enter the number of decorative images that are appropriately treated as decorative.
• Content owner or remediation contact identified
  Record the owner, editor, or team responsible for remediation if deficiencies are found.

Alt Text Presence and Quality

• All non-decorative images have alt text
  Verify that every image conveying information or function includes an alt attribute or equivalent text alternative.
• Alt text is descriptive and specific to the image purpose
  Assess whether alt text communicates the image's meaning, function, or content rather than merely naming the file or saying 'image'.
• Alt text avoids redundant or misleading wording
  Check that alt text does not repeat nearby text unnecessarily, over-describe decorative details, or misrepresent the image.
• Functional images describe the action or destination
  Verify that icons, buttons, linked images, and other functional graphics describe the action, purpose, or destination rather than only visual appearance.
• Complex images have equivalent text or long description
  Check whether charts, diagrams, infographics, or screenshots with important detail include adjacent text, long description, or equivalent narrative content.

Decorative and Redundant Image Handling

• Decorative images are marked appropriately
  Verify that purely decorative images are marked so they are ignored by screen readers, such as using empty alt text or an equivalent approved method.
• Repeated icons or logos do not create unnecessary noise
  Check that repeated branding, repeated icons, or duplicate imagery do not create redundant announcements for assistive technology users.
• Image captions and nearby text do not conflict with alt text
  Verify that captions, headings, or nearby text align with the alt text and do not create contradictory or confusing meaning.
• Text embedded in images has a text alternative
  Check that screenshots, banners, or graphics containing essential text are accompanied by equivalent text in the page content or alt text where appropriate.

Accessibility and Compliance Validation

• WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.1.1 met for reviewed images
  Confirm that the reviewed content meets the requirement for non-text content by providing text alternatives for meaningful images.
• Known accessibility exceptions documented
  Record whether any exceptions, legacy constraints, or approved remediation deferrals are documented with an owner and target date.
• Deficiencies classified by severity
  Classify the highest observed deficiency level for the content reviewed.
• Remediation due date recorded
  Enter the target date and time for correcting any identified alt-text deficiencies.
• Corrective action assigned
  Document the person or team responsible for fixing the deficiency and validating the correction.

Audit Summary and Closure

• Photo or screenshot evidence attached
  Attach evidence showing representative images, alt text fields, or the content state reviewed.
• Overall audit result
  Select the final result of the audit.
• Summary of deficiencies and remediation notes
  Summarize the observed alt-text deficiencies, affected content, and remediation actions needed.
• Inspector acknowledgment
  Inspector confirms the audit findings and recorded observations.