Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1

This document describes the syntax and features provided by Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) version 1.1, a modularized language for describing two-dimensional vector and mixed vector/raster graphics in XML.

While at a first glance this may not seem obvious, the same features that make SVG preferable over more traditional formats (such as PNG or JPEG) for embedding images or icons in web content can have a positive impact on web accessibility too. Just to mention a couple examples:

• they do not suffer from scalability issues. Their quality does not degrade when enlarged in size, therefore offering a great user experience for visually impaired people.
• Although not very well supported at the moment, SVG images can include interactive elements, and allow to embed semantics information about certain content shown in the image. Consider the simplest case: text strings. Given their XML-nature, SVG images allow to embed text that can be made accessible… Yes, accessible text within images! 😁

• View Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1

Filed under:

• Accessibility resources by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3c)
• Design
• Web Accessibility Resources