Images

Photos and Illustrations

• Be brief -- short phrases are ideal (<125 characters) unless image conveys complex information

• Do not begin with "Image of" or "Picture of"

• Start with the most important information

• Reflect the essential content and purpose of the image

• Avoid repeating information that is already included in the surrounding text

• If image is a hyperlink and there is no accompanying link text, describe where the link redirects to

Images of People

For People You Know

• Ask the person to provide a brief physical description of themselves in the image so they can choose which details to include (age, race, gender, hair, height, weight, clothing, accessories, etc.)

• Use descriptions the person has written for themselves in the past (professional bios, Instagram captions, etc.)

For People You Don’t Know

• Describe physical attributes (e.g. perceived gender, race, age and height, weight, disability status) only if this will enhance understanding of the content or challenge stereotypes in a meaningful way

• Prioritize role over physical description (e.g. “A doctor helping a patient access health records on an iPad”)

• Use general terms like “person”, “people”, or “a diverse group of people” to avoid making assumptions

Charts and Graphs

Based on their complexity, charts and graphs may require very lengthy explanations to be accessible.

• Include a title in the alt text (in Google Docs and Slides, include title at the start of the description)

• Briefly summarize the most important takeaways in the alt text description and do one of the following:

  • Provide a longer description within the text of the document (helpful for others since many people have difficulty understanding charts and graphs)

  • Create a section at the end of the document for long descriptions

  • Create a separate document with a long description of the image

Tables

Avoid inserting tables in Google Docs and Slides. Instead do one of the following: 

• • Insert an image of the table and add alt text that describes the significant data or trends the table displays, including:

    • Type of data presented in the table (use column and row headings as a guide)

    • Data limitations (only covers certain years, draws from certain sources, etc.)

    • Summary of data (range, median, mode) and overall trends

    • Source of data 

  • Use lists to present data in a different way

  • Use Microsoft Word to create documents that will have many tables

Infographics

• Provide a short summary of the function or information presented by the infographic.

• Write out all text from the infographic in one of the following locations:

  • somewhere in your presentation (separate slide, speaker notes section) 

  • below the infographic in your document

  • in a separate document that is linked near the infographic in the Google Doc or Slide

Decorative Images