MAKING IMAGES ACCESSIBLE

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Image accessibility requires more than just an alt attribute—every image needs one, but its value depends on whether the image is decorative or conveys real content. Icons often function as decoration reinforced by nearby text, though standalone icons need accessible names via their surrounding interactive elements. Effective alt text depends on surrounding context rather than pixel description alone, and while automated tools catch missing attributes, only human judgment (aided by AI suggestions) can confirm whether alt text truly communicates an image's purpose.