In a digital world where web accessibility is crucial, attributes play a key role.
They help screen readers and other assistive devices understand and navigate content correctly, making digital documents and websites more user-friendly for everyone - including people with disabilities.
But what does "attribute" actually mean? Simply put, an attribute is an additional property that is added to an element in HTML, PDF or Word to specify how it should behave or be presented.
Examples of important attributes:
- Alt-tekst i billeder: <img src=”billede.jpg” alt=”Beskrivelse af billede”> gør billeder tilgængelige for skærmlæsere.
- Language attribute in PDF: "Lang" indicates the language of the document so that screen readers pronounce the words correctly.
- Column markup in tables: "ColSpan" specifies how many columns a cell should span.
At Aliro Docs, we know that technical terms can be complex, which is why we have developed the Aliro Dictionary - an easy-to-use dictionary that explains the most important concepts in web accessibility.
Why is it important?
- For screen readers: Makes navigation easier.
- For document standards: Ensures correct conversion to PDF/UA.
- For SEO: Improves visibility on the web.
Attributes in digital documents (PDF, Word, HTML)
- PDF: Accessible PDFs need attributes for language, tables, metadata and alternative descriptions for images.
- Word: Documents can add alternative text to images and proper table structure, ensuring better conversion to accessible PDFs.
- HTML: Attributes like aria-label and role improve accessibility for interactive elements.
Attributes are more than just technical details - they make content understandable for everyone, regardless of how it is accessed.
Without them, screen readers and other assistive technologies would not be able to interpret and navigate content correctly.
When attributes are used correctly, we create more accessible, user-friendly and inclusive digital experiences.
With Aliro Dictionary we make it easier to understand and implement web accessibility - for the benefit of everyone!
Aliro Dictionary is our own little dictionary of relevant web accessibility concepts and terminologies in PDF format.
Here we try to describe the terms used in accessibility and documents to increase understanding and awareness.
Together, we can improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments or disabilities and contribute to a fully inclusive digitalized society now and in the future.
