Images

All images require alternative text (alt text). If the image is decorative or does not add to the meaning of a document, it can be tagged as “decorative.” Alt text should convey the meaning of the object to the document and any words on the object must be included in the alt text.

Alt Text Rules:

1. Every image must have alt-text
2. Context over picture; focus on you want the image to convey
3. Active images must include information about the action
4. Information contained in the image must be included in the alt text

Alt Text Best Practices:

• Focus on function-use it as a guide
• Avoid redundancy
• Keep it succinct and grammatically correct
• Use Description vs Title dialogue boxes
• Include all text that appears in the image
• Alt text for links must include destination
• Charts, graphs, and tables must have alt text unless the same information is provided in a Table or Figure description

To add alt text in Microsoft Word (PC):

Right-click on the image, chart, graph, etc. and select Format Picture

>Layout and Properties icon

>Alt Text

Use the Description dialogue to input appropriate alt text

To add alt text in Microsoft Word (Mac):

From the Home ribbon >Picture Format

>Format Pane

>Layout and Properties icon

>Alt Text

Use the Description dialogue to input appropriate alt text

To add alt text in G-Suite (docs, sheets, slides, etc.):

Right-click on the image, chart, graph, etc. and select Alt Text

Use the Description dialogue to input appropriate alt text

>OK

To add alt text in Blackboard on new images

> Insert Image option in the text editor

Use the Image Description dialogue to input appropriate alt text (located on the General Tab)

> Insert

To add alt text in Blackboard on previously uploaded images

> Ally icon (located next to the image)

Use the add alternative description dialogue to input appropriate alt text

> Add

To set alt text in Blackboard when you are inserting the image using the text editor, add alt text in the Image Description text box at the point of upload.

To set alt text in Blackboard when you are using > Build Content > Create Image, there is a dedicated text box for alt text.

If Blackboard Ally detects an image that does not have alt text, the indicator next to the image will be red. Click the indicator icon to reveal the accessibility score. To ad alt text, type it into the Add Image Description text box and > Add. Or if the image is decorative, you can simply select the Indicate image is decorative option and close out of the accessibility score screen.

Images that do not add information to the content of the material can be considered decorative. Examples of decorative images include: borders, clip art, or anything that adds visual appeal without providing information. Decorative images should be tagged as decorative when applicable, or use empty quotation marks "" in lieu of appropriate alt text.

Sometimes images are used as links to increase the "clickable area." In this instance, the alt-text should identify the link location. If the link includes an image as well as text, set the alt text of the image to decorative by using empty quotation marks.

Continuous animation can be distracting and can be a barrier for those with trouble reading stationary text, tracking moving object, or those using assistive technology. In order to comply with WCAG success criterion 2.2.2: "For any moving, blinking, or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than 5 seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is a part of an activity where it is essential..."

No page content should flash more than 3 times per second thereby reducing the chance of seizures. "Flashing is a seizure trigger and should never be used.