Q: How do I use visuals effectively on a government website?
A: Government websites must prioritize accessibility, usability, performance, and legal compliance to adhere to Section 508 in the US, which aligns with WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA. Overusing images (pictures, graphs, infographics, etc.) can create unnecessary barriers and degrade the experience for many users, but sometimes they can help. Read on to find out when to use them and when not to.
Why you should avoid overuse of images
There are a few reasons you should choose images, videos, and other visuals wisely for your site:
Accessibility risks — Excessive images increase the chance of missing or poor alt text, which causes barriers for screen reader users (blind or low-vision individuals). Studies show government sites often have high rates of images lacking proper alt text (28% in some audits). This contributes to hundreds of WCAG violations per page.
If an image adds meaning, include alt text. If it is decorative, leave the alt field blank, so screen readers skip it. For full guidance, see Adding alt text to images.
Performance and load times — Too many large or unoptimized images slow page loading, especially on mobile or low-bandwidth connections. This disproportionately affects users in rural areas, older devices, or those with data limits—common for citizens accessing essential services.
Cognitive and usability impact — Heavy use of visual designs can overwhelm people with cognitive disabilities, distract from core content, or make information harder to scan and understand. Government sites exist primarily to deliver clear, functional information—not to entertain or impress visually.
Maintenance burden — More images mean more elements to keep accessible, descriptive, and up-to-date. This increases long-term costs and the risk of non-compliance. Many state sites have backend folders filled with images that are never used.
Guiding Principle: Use visuals intentionally and sparingly. Only include an image when it adds meaningful value that text alone cannot convey effectively.
When to use images
Limit images to two main purposes:
- Informative or functional — Images that convey essential information, illustrate concepts, show processes, provide data (charts/graphs), identify locations, or show real-world examples (e.g., product photos, diagrams, official photos of facilities/personnel).
- Decorative — CT.GOV-Connecticut's Official State Website uses a component-based design system, which already breaks content into clear, scannable sections. Decorative images are used within components when the design pattern calls for them, but they do not always convey new information. These images are often marked as decorative (alt text field left blank) so screen readers skip them. We avoid background patterns, decorative borders, infographics, or other visuals that can create confusion or add noise for people using assistive technology.
Avoid:
- Images of text (except when presentation is essential, like logos)
- Text overlaid on busy images without sufficient contrast
- Unnecessary stock photos, icons, or illustrations that repeat information already in the text
By keeping visuals purposeful, minimal, and fully accessible, CT State websites remain inclusive, fast, and compliant while focusing on delivering clear public service information.
References: WCAG 2.x guidelines and Images Tutorial.
