Accessibility

Alt-Text  Alternative text (alt-text) is important to those that cannot see and use a screen reader to read aloud all information. This can also be important for those that turn off images due to low-bandwidth. By providing alt-text you are making your images accessible to all. You want to make sure you provide descriptive enough language that the person can visualize the image with your word choices.  Alt-Text should be limited to about 100 characters, so you don’t need to write a novel. Different images will require different approaches.  

Remember...  

• If the image is purely decorative and adds no value to the content, then simply write “decorative.” Some applications give you the option to check a box if the image is decorative.

• If the image provides a visual illustration of a process, diagram, or model that supplements the existing text explanation, then something as simple as “illustration of the [process]” or “screenshot of adding alt-text to an image” may be all that is necessary!

• If the image is of a table, convert it to an actual table. If you use it,  you will need to write out all that information in a long description.

Alt-Text Example:

• Default Alt-Text (name of image) example: woman-book.jpg

• Modified Alt-Text (name of image) example: Woman sitting at a desk reading a book.