Ancestor alt text is shadowing a figure

PDF/UA check FIGURE_ALT_TEXT_EXPOSURE · Figures & images · severity Low · PDF/UA 8.9.4.2 Alt properties

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Why it matters#

If a parent element has alt text, it overrides the figure's own description. This means users hear the wrong description or a generic one instead of the specific image description.

What you will see#

A parent element has its own alt text, which replaces the figure's specific description.

How to fix#

Remove the Alt or ActualText entry from the ancestor element that shadows the figure's own description. If the ancestor's text is the intended description, move it onto the Figure element itself instead.

Step-by-step guide#

1. In the Accessibility tags panel, select the flagged Figure and walk up its ancestor chain, opening Properties > Tag tab on each ancestor to find a filled Alternate Text or Actual Text field.
2. If the ancestor's text merely duplicates or genericizes the figure description, clear that ancestor's Alternate Text / Actual Text field and save.
3. If the ancestor's text is the intended description of the figure, move it: cut it from the ancestor and paste it into the Figure tag's own Alternate Text field.
4. If the ancestor legitimately needs its Alt or ActualText for other content in its subtree, restructure instead: drag the Figure tag out so it is a sibling of that ancestor rather than a descendant.

Verify: Re-run the EQChecker scan: FIGURE_ALT_TEXT_EXPOSURE should pass. Spot-check with a screen reader (NVDA) or Acrobat Read Out Loud: the figure's own description should be announced rather than the ancestor's text.

Note: An ActualText on an ancestor replaces the entire subtree for assistive technology, and many screen readers treat ancestor Alt the same way, so the figure's own description is never reached. This typically appears when an exporter or earlier remediation put Alt on a wrapping Div, Span, or link. Severity is low, but until fixed the figure's alt text is effectively invisible.

WCAG success criteria#

1.1.1 Non-text Content — Level A#

All non-text content (images, icons, controls) needs a text alternative that conveys the same purpose, or be marked decorative so assistive tech can ignore it.

Understanding 1.1.1

Standards#

This check contributes to the following standards:

PDF/UA WCAG A EN 301 549