Non-text Content — decorative images
Decorative images that add no information must be marked with `alt=""` (empty alt) or `role="presentation"` so screen readers skip them silently rather than announce the filename.
What it requires
WCAG 1.1.1 has two paths: meaningful images need descriptive alt text; decorative images need `alt=""` (empty, intentional) or `role="presentation"`. Both are valid; both communicate to assistive technology that the image carries no information.
Common decorative-image categories on Shopify storefronts: ornamental flourishes, decorative SVG icons next to a labeled text link, spacer GIFs, hero-background images that the surrounding text already describes.
Common Shopify failure
Theme renders decorative SVG icons inside labeled buttons without `aria-hidden="true"` on the SVG or `alt=""` on the wrapping img. Screen readers announce both the icon filename AND the button label, doubling the audio overhead.
How to fix it
AccessComply detects icon-in-button patterns and either adds `aria-hidden="true"` to the inner SVG (when the button has a text label) or adds `alt=""` to the wrapping img.
Primary source: W3C — WCAG 2.0 Understanding 1.1.1 (Decorative)