Image Map

An HTML feature that allows different regions of a single image to be designated as separate hyperlinks, each pointing to a different URL. Image maps can be client-side (coordinates and links defined in HTML MAP and AREA elements) or server-side (click coordinates sent to the server for processing). Image maps present significant accessibility barriers because screen readers cannot interpret image regions without text alternatives. Client-side image maps are more accessible than server-side ones because ALT text can be provided for each AREA element. WCAG requires that accessible text alternatives be provided for all active regions of image maps.