Email Signatures - WCAG
Email Signatures - WCAG
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Making Your Email Signatures Accessible
Making Your Email Signatures Accessible
Email signatures are part of everyday communication and must be accessible to all recipients. Accessible signatures promote equity, inclusion, and clear communication.
Why Image-Based Signatures Don’t Work
Why Image-Based Signatures Don’t Work
Screen readers cannot read images
Alt text cannot be added in most email editors
Important information may be missed
Recipients may not be able to access:
Your name and role
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Website or resource links
Benefits of Text-Based Signatures
Text-based signatures ensure equal access.
Readable by screen readers
Links and phone numbers are clickable
Works across devices and email platforms
Same information for every recipient
Updating email signatures supports:
Updating email signatures supports:
WCAG-aligned accessibility practices
Empathy and inclusion
Equitable access in everyday communication
The Complex Description for the Email Signatures INfographic
The Complex Description for the Email Signatures INfographic
The infographic compares two approaches to email signatures through a side-by-side analysis of risks and benefits.
Core Message: Switch to text-based signatures for equitable communication and inclusion, as they overcome barriers inherent in image-only formats.
The Risks of Image-Based Signatures:
The Risks of Image-Based Signatures:
Invisible to Screen Readers: Assistive technologies cannot read text that is embedded within an image file.
Missing Critical Information: Recipients often lose access to essential details like names, phone numbers, and website links if the image fails to load or is unreadable.
Lack of Metadata Support: Most email editors do not provide the functionality for users to add necessary Alt Text to signature images.
The Benefits of Text-Based Signatures:
The Benefits of Text-Based Signatures:
Universal Device Compatibility: Text renders correctly across all email platforms and mobile devices.
Fully Interactive Elements: Phone numbers and links remain clickable for all recipients.
WCAG-Aligned Inclusion: Supports equitable access and empathy in everyday professional communication.
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