Title: How to Describe Complex Infographics for All Users
Introduction
Infographics are powerful visual tools that can simplify the presentation of complex data, enhance information retention, and boost engagement. However, for users with disabilities—especially those using screen readers—infographics can pose significant barriers if not appropriately described. Given today’s growing emphasis on digital inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG, EN 301 549, ADA, and the European Accessibility Act (EAA), it's critical that businesses understand how to make their visual content accessible to all.
A well-described infographic ensures that blind and visually impaired users receive the same value and insights as sighted users. But how do you effectively do this without overwhelming readers or developers?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through best practices on how to describe complex infographics, why this matters, and how a smart platform like allyWay can support your accessibility goals through scalable, automated, and AI-powered features that reduce barriers and enhance the user experience.
Why Infographic Accessibility Matters
Accessibility Isn't Optional Anymore
As digital platforms become the primary mode of communication, ensuring that your content is accessible is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Global accessibility regulations like:
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- EN 301 549 (EU standard for ICT accessibility)
- EAA (European Accessibility Act)
place increasing responsibility on website owners, digital agencies, and content creators to design content that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and understand.
The Access Problem with Infographics
Infographics often contain valuable insights: statistics, charts, timelines, maps, and relational data. However, if they're presented solely as images without alternate text or proper semantic markup, they become completely inaccessible to visually impaired users relying on screen readers or braille displays.
Missteps in making infographics accessible often include:
- Missing alt text or poor descriptions
- Complex data not explained in text format
- Color-dependent information that lacks alternatives
Making infographics accessible bridges this gap, ensuring that insights are universally available.
Understanding the Core Elements of Accessible Descriptions
Two Key Concepts: Alt Text vs. Long Descriptions
| Feature | Alt Text | Long Description |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Quick info summary | Full explanation of infographic content |
| Length | Concise (1-2 sentences) | Lengthy (paragraphs or list) |
| Placement | In alt attribute |
On the page or via aria-describedby |
| Suitable For | Simple visuals | Complex visuals like charts, timelines, or comparative graphs |
To ensure true accessibility, most complex infographics require both alt text and long descriptions.
How to Write Effective Descriptions for Complex Infographics
Creating an accessible infographic isn’t just about “adding some text.” It’s an art that balances information clarity, economy of words, and technical standards.
Step 1: Define the Purpose
Begin by asking: What is the infographic trying to convey?
This becomes the foundation of both your alt text and long description. Identify the central message and the key data being visualized.
Step 2: Write Clear and Concise Alt Text
The alternative text (alt text) should briefly state what the infographic is about. Keep it under 125 characters and avoid overly generic phrases like “graph” or “infographic.”
Example:
“Bar chart comparing annual sales from 2021 to 2023.”
Step 3: Create a Long Description
The long description should provide a full textual alternative to the data and relationships in the image. This could be placed:
- Directly under the infographic
- In a linked page
- In an accompanying section with appropriate ARIA markup
Checklist for a good long description:
✓ Describe layout and type of infographic
✓ Summarize the data or trends
✓ List critical figures
✓ Explain any visual cues (colors, lines, icons)
Sample Long Description:
“The infographic displays a line graph with three colored lines representing revenue growth in North America (blue), Europe (green), and Asia-Pacific (yellow) from 2020 to 2023. All regions show steady increases, with North America leading in growth. Revenue in 2020 started at $1.2M for North America, increasing to $4.8M by 2023…”
Step 4: Make Use of Accessible Technologies
Use semantic HTML5 elements like <figure> and <figcaption>, aria-describedby, and <details> to structure long descriptions in a screen reader-friendly way.
Understanding WCAG Standards for Infographic Descriptions
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer clear directives on handling non-text content, especially under Success Criterion 1.1.1 – Non-text Content.
According to WCAG:
➤ All images must have a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose.
➤ Complex images (infographics, graphs, charts, and maps) require more than just alt text.
You must:
- Use a descriptive
<alt>attribute for basic visuals. - For complex graphics, provide a long text alternative, either on the page or by linking.
The future-forward and scalable feature set of allyWay simplifies this process by leveraging:
- Automatic detection of images missing alt text
- AI-powered audit mechanisms to identify infographic elements needing descriptions
- Assistance features that guide content owners on where and how to improve accessibility
Real-World Example: Accessible Infographic Breakdown
Let’s break down a sample infographic and how to describe it step-by-step.
Infographic Subject: “Global Smartphone Usage from 2015 to 2023”
| Description Element | Example Content |
|---|---|
| Alt Text | “Line graph showing global smartphone user growth from 2015 to 2023.” |
| Heading for Description | “Smartphone Usage Trend (2015–2023)” |
| Layout Description | “Line graph with X-axis showing years; Y-axis showing total users in billions.” |
| Key Trends | “Growth from 2.6B users in 2015 to 6.9B users in 2023, with rapid rise post-2019.” |
| Color Use | “Blue line represents global total; markers indicate yearly updates.” |
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Fall into these traps and both usability and compliance may suffer:
1. Using Only Color to Convey Information
Avoid: “Red line represents losses. Green line represents profits.”
Fix: Use textures or shapes in visuals and provide descriptions distinguishing the lines.
2. Overloading Alt Text
Avoid: Long descriptions in the alt attribute.
Fix: Keep it short and offload details to long descriptions.
3. Ignoring Keyboard Navigation
Many users don’t use a mouse—navigation and reading should be possible using Tab, Enter, and Screen Reader tech.
➤ AllyWay supports keyboard navigation enhancements as one of its 30+ features.
allyWay: Supporting Infographic Accessibility at Scale
Making your infographic content accessible isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it improves usability for everyone and grows your audience reach.
Here’s how allyWay helps:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 30+ Accessibility Features | Cover a wide range of needs from text alternatives to navigation fixes |
| 5 Accessibility Profiles | Personalize user experience instantly |
| AI-Powered Accessibility Audit | Uncover missing or poor alt/long descriptions |
| Multi-Language Support (35+) | Enable infographic access across countries and languages |
| Designed for Web Apps & Websites | Whether SaaS or e-commerce, your platform’s visuals become accessible |
Why choose allyWay?
✓ Scalable across thousands of content assets
✓ Saves time via automation & smart suggestions
✓ Enhances compliance efforts
✓ Business- and agency-friendly setup
✓ Designed to integrate seamlessly
Using allyWay doesn’t “make your site compliant,” but it gets you closer by aiding in identifying, fixing, and optimizing accessibility issues—like those tied to infographics.
Actionable Tips for Agencies and Developers
Whether building from scratch or auditing an existing website, use these best practices:
Developer Tips
- Add appropriate alt text in image
alt=""attributes. - Use
aria-describedbyto link infographics to descriptions. - Place long descriptions within collapsible elements (
<details>). - Test all images with screen readers.
Content Editor Tips
- Work cross-functionally with designers and developers.
- Add human-readable summaries of all key visuals.
- Link long descriptions with contextual anchor links.
Agency/Business Tips
- Include infographic accessibility as part of your audit checklist.
- Use allyWay’s AI-powered audit tool before launching campaigns.
- Ensure all infographic deliverables contain both visual and textual formats.
FAQ: Infographic Accessibility
Q1: Is alt text always required for infographics?
A: Yes. WCAG 1.1.1 requires a text alternative for any non-text content. Ideally, include both a short alt text and an extended description.
Q2: How does allyWay assist with infographic accessibility?
A: allyWay offers AI-powered site audits, detects missing or weak alt text, and provides remediation support—all helping reduce accessibility gaps.
Q3: Where should I place the long description of an infographic?
A: Directly below the graphic, in a collapsible section, or on a linked page. Make sure it's easily discoverable
