I received this email from a web designer who we're working with at present:

I built the site with accessibility standards in mind, hence some of the items are used to improve the use of the site with screen-readers etc, and
people who have CSS turned off.
For example, the < class="hide"> tags only show up when the user has stylesheets turned off, and are also read in-line by screen readers. They're hidden so that they don't interfere with the design if the user is using stylesheets. They also provide a text-based version of the main navigation.


My first reaction was that hiding text in any way shape or form is inexcusable - even if the intentions are good - it might get by undetected, but sooner or later Google might also detect it and penalize the site.

However, I would still like to hear the esteemed opinion of the pundits here, to find out if maybe after all im being too paranoid. So please let me know... is hiding text for accessibility reasons an "ok" practice?

As an avid CSS user and advocate for valid xhtml, html, css, etc., he is using best practices as a web designer. Accessibility to those who need screen readers, braile attachments, etc should always be taken into account. IMO this is in no way "bad" or "black hat" as long as these elements and site attributes are not stuffed full of keywords or are meant to manipulate the search engine results. If Google were to penalize you for trying to make your website more accessible to others, then I'd have to say there's something seriously wrong with Google. As long as the elements, attributes, and tactics are used properly, then I see no reason why Google would put any ban or punishment upon you. In my experience, sites I have created that are validated (using accessibility tags such as alt, title, etc.) have always done well. I have never been punished (to my knowledge) for making a site more accessible. However, I'm not entirely sure about the "hidden" part he's using. I rarely use "hidden" unless for graphic functionality, so I guess it depends on how he's using it.

Thanks for your reply Simons1321.

The "hidden" parts are being used by the designer to place text behind graphic objects for navigation and otherwise (e.g. behind the logo).

My contention was that this is not needed. That's exactly what the "ALt" attribute was made for in the <IMG> tag. Is there something I am overlooking with this argument?

Cheers!