Sort It Out Amazon!

Amazon’s design is a stalwart, one that has stood the test of time and remained largely unchanged, excepting several usability and A9 Search refinements throughout the years. I like Amazon’s design and the tabbed navigation is iconic. Why then, is there no ALT text present? This is a pure schoolboy error and presents usability problems for people like myself using text-based browsers such as Links, or for people using assistive technologies such as screenreaders. This also makes Amazon non-complaint to W3C WCAG 2.0, which states:

“Guideline 1.1 Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.”

Amazon showing a lack of ALT text in its navbar

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28 February 2008 | usability | Comments

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