axe-core rule: area-alt

Image map areas are missing text alternatives

Fix reference | BarrierScan

What it is

Clickable regions inside an image map (area elements) have no alt text, so each link target is unnamed for assistive technology.

Who it blocks

Screen reader users cannot tell where each region of the image map leads, making the whole map unusable by keyboard or screen reader.

How to fix it

Add an alt attribute to every area element describing its destination.

Example fix

<!-- Before -->
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,100,50" href="/mens">

<!-- After -->
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,100,50" href="/mens" alt="Shop men's clothing">

This is one of the barrier types BarrierScan checks for on every scan. Request a free accessibility scan to see whether it appears on your site, alongside the rest of the automated findings.