[thelist] Accessibility Question

[Luther, Ron]

Hi Gang,

Quick question on etiquette for alt text.

I understand, (somewhat anyway), the use of alt text for graphical elements that have contextual meaning: like graphics used for links or buttons.

My question is on the "proper" usage for graphical elements that have no contextual meaning - things that are just there to make the page look "pretty".

Example: Say you have a graphical button (this graphic has some 'meaning' and/or functional utility) and that you have sandwiched it between left-hand and right-hand 'pretty' graphics in order to make it more prominent and easier to see on the page.  The left-hand and right-hand graphics themselves don't have any content or utility other than making the 'useful' image stand out better.

I understand how to alt text the useful image ... but what do you do with those other buggers?

Is [alt=""] the best answer?
[alt=" "]?
[alt="gratuitous graphic for style and emphasis"]?


RonL.
(Newly 'deputized' internal accessibility guru.)