Add alternative text to the map/scalebar image in Jasperreports

[RubenKad]

Currently, when using MapFish in combination with JasperReports, the map and scalebar provided from MapFish are put in the JasperReports as subreports. We are trying to make the PDF reports accessible, which means all images in the PDF need an alternative text. However, currently we are not able to do this, as we cannot access these images inside the subreport.

Is it possible to support alternative text for the images provided by MapFish insde JasperReports? Perhaps as an attribute provided in the configuration?

[sbrunner]

I struggle to understand how a blind person could read a map; do you have a concrete example where this would be useful?

[RubenKad]

We need to make our application accessible according to the WCAG requirements, which includes the pdf that users can print with mapfish. One of the WCAG criteria for PDF is the text alternatives for the images (see https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/PDF1.html). This includes the alternative texts for the map and the scalebar generated by mapfish, which currently (unless I'm missing something) cannot be automatically generated with mapfish and JasperReports.

So I understand your question about a blind person that has to read a map, but the issue is more about meeting WCAG accessibility criteria which we have to meet, for which there is currently no support in mapfish/jasperreports

[sbrunner]

I suspended a response like that :-P
You are welcome to provide a pull request. If it conforms to MapFish print quality, it will be merged :-)