What you will make

A revised PNG or PDF graphic with a caption, text alternative, and short checklist of completed and unresolved checks.

A graphic only communicates when people can read its information and understand its meaning. Simple checks can reveal clipped labels, weak contrast, missing context, or reliance on color. They help improve a product without claiming that one exercise proves full accessibility compliance.

• Check labels and layout at the intended viewing size.
• Add a useful caption and text alternative for an informative graphic.
• Test selected contrast and reading-order conditions while reporting their limits.

Work through the method

1. Name the communication task

   State the graphic's purpose, audience, and intended screen or print size. Check the title and caption against its documented source or concept brief.

   Check your work: Purpose and viewing context are clear.

2. Make labels readable

   Start digital labels at 16 CSS pixels at actual display size. This course convention is not a WCAG minimum. Increase size or simplify dense content.

   Check your work: Labels are legible without clipping or overlap.

3. Check contrast and coding

   Measure contrast. WCAG specifies 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for qualifying large text, with exceptions. Pair colors with labels, symbols, or patterns. WCAG large text means at least 18 points (24 CSS pixels), or 14 points (about 18.67 CSS pixels) when bold. For smaller text use 4.5:1. Enter the actual foreground and background color values in a contrast checker, such as WebAIM, and record the ratio. Check labels and legends at the intended output size.

   Check your work: Ratios and unresolved visual distinctions are recorded.

4. Write a caption and alternative

   Write a caption with subject, geography or concept status, period, source, and supported message. Provide a useful text alternative and, when needed, a table or longer description.

   Check your work: Essential information is available beyond the image.

5. Inspect sequence and export

   Check title, graphic, legend, caption, and source sequence. Reopen the export at normal size. Supply PNG alternatives through the publishing page or an accompanying text file.

   Check your work: The delivered graphic and accompanying text work together.

6. Record the review limits

   Record completed checks and untested tags, reading order, or interactions. Pass the note to the person publishing the graphic; selected checks do not establish full compliance.

   Check your work: The handoff identifies completed and remaining review.

Revise and explain one planning graphic

1. Choose an authorized graphic and state its audience and purpose.
2. Improve labels, layout, and contrast; record the digital label-size target and measured ratios.
3. Write a source-faithful caption and a useful text alternative or supporting table.
4. Reopen the export at its intended size and save a note of completed and unresolved checks.

Bring the method into a product

• Revised planning graphic
• Caption, text alternative, and review note

Suggested formats: PNG, PDF, TXT, CSV.

Reflect: What important message would be lost if a reader could not see the image or distinguish its colors?

Avoid these mistakes

• Sixteen pixels is a course starting target, not a universal WCAG requirement.
• Alt text belongs to the publishing context; a PNG export alone is not the whole accessible presentation.
• Selected contrast and content checks do not establish full WCAG conformance or an ADA guarantee.