If the same visual presentation can be achieved with text, use text rather than images of text.
ADA Relevance: Level AA is the standard courts reference for ADA compliance. Failing this criterion creates direct legal exposure for ADA lawsuits.
Images of text cannot be resized cleanly, reflow for small screens, or be read by screen readers (without alt text). Real text is always more accessible.
Identify any images that contain text content. Check if the text could be achieved with styled HTML text instead.
Replace images of text with actual HTML text styled with CSS. Exceptions: logos, screenshots, and situations where a particular presentation of text is essential.
These industries commonly fail WCAG 1.4.5 due to the nature of their website content and functionality:
Different platforms have different levels of built-in support for WCAG 1.4.5:
WCAG 1.4.5 requires that if the same visual presentation can be achieved with text, use text rather than images of text. This is a Level AA criterion under the Perceivable principle, meaning it is required for ADA compliance (courts reference WCAG 2.1 AA).
Identify any images that contain text content. Check if the text could be achieved with styled HTML text instead.
Yes. WCAG 1.4.5 is a Level AA criterion, and courts consistently reference WCAG 2.1 AA as the standard for ADA compliance. Failing to meet this criterion creates legal exposure for ADA lawsuits, which typically settle for $10,000 to $75,000+.
Failing WCAG 1.4.5 Images of Text means images of text cannot be resized cleanly, reflow for small screens, or be read by screen readers (without alt text). Real text is always more accessible. This violation is detectable by automated scanning tools that ADA plaintiff attorneys use to identify lawsuit targets. ADA CodeFix can scan your site for this specific violation and provide AI-generated code fixes.
ADA CodeFix automatically scans for Images of Text violations and provides AI-generated code fixes — not overlay widgets.
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