Alt Text

Alt Text

What is Alt Text?

Alt text is a written description of visual elements like pictures, graphs, or charts. This allows devices called screen readers, which read computer files and websites aloud to blind users, to describe images as well.

 

How do we add alt text to images?

Screenshot of Canvas image upload area with alt text box highlighted   

 

How do we write “good” alt text?

  • Be precise 
  • Be as concise as possible
  • Mark images that are strictly aesthetic as "decorative" (like the yellow page divider below)
  • Align with learning outcomes

 

divider_yellow1.jpg

 

A Picture is Worth... 120 Characters?

The Accessibility Checker will flag images with alt descriptions longer than 120 characters. While we want to describe as concisely as possible, sometimes we need more than 120 characters. In these cases, consider the Accessibility Checker error message as a suggestion and not a mandate to change.

Consider the example below. The statistics and quotes are part of this graphic, so a screen reader will not detect the information contained within the image without us providing alt text. We exceed 120 characters when we include the necessary information in the alt text box.

Infographic comparing Netflix and Hulu. 81 out of 100 people surveyed prefer Netflix, with the remaining 19 preferring Hulu. Senior Ayanna Morales says, quote, Netflix has no ads, even with their basic subscription. They layout is also less confusing and they have a larger selection of TV shows and movies. End quote. Senior Leira Sechong says, quote, I prefer Hulu because it offers more of a variety with its TV shows and they are really good about keeping shows up to date.

 

 

Immersive Reader - use as simple screen reader

Screenshot of Immersive Reader feature on Canvas

 


Module 3 Contents