![]() ![]() If the most relevant content is at the end of your alt text, the user would have to listen to all of the irrelevant information before discovering why the image is included. In other words, there is often no way for someone using an assistive technology to skip ahead to find more relevant content or to pause and go back to something they didn’t understand. Many screen readers* will read either all or none of the alt text as written. One of the main concerns with alt text is the length. The shorter the better, but not too short Depending on the complexity of the image, it may be better to provide context in the text of your content to avoid overly long alt text. People who use assistive technology rely on the contents of the alt text to give them not just what the image contains, but any context for the image if it’s not readily available. Accurately describe the content and function of the image But here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re creating alt text. Too short and it may not give enough detail. Alternative text best practicesĬreating good alt text isn’t a science - it’s more of an art. Then, the alt text can give a brief description of the image and suggest the user look to the caption for a more complete description and/or context. Rather than creating long and less useful alt text, longer descriptions can be made using a caption. Captions are especially helpful for images that might require a lot of alt text to accurately describe. However, captions can be more useful for accessibility purposes. Furthermore, captions may not always include a full description of the image and its contents, as they are typically used to enhance or provide context for a visible image. However, alt text is typically “behind the scenes,” whereas captions are visible to anyone accessing the page. Both provide a description of the image and context of how the image fits in with the rest of the content. When you’re finished, simply close the sidebar and your alt text will save with the image.Īlt text and captions are similar in many ways. Then, add your text into the alt text window in the sidebar that opens. In Microsoft Word, for example, right-click on the image and choose Add Alt Text. Check your software’s documentation or help files for information on how to add alt text to your images from within that platform. Different software platforms do it in different ways. Unfortunately, there is no one way to add alternative text. The alt text is read in place of the image to give users understanding of the image’s meaning and context. Screen readers can tell when an image is present, but they cannot analyze their content. Search engines use it to determine the content and context of images.In browsers where images are blocked, the alt text is displayed in place of the image.Screen readers and other assistive technologies use it to describe the image to users so they can access and understand the content.What is alternative text?Īlternative text, in its simplest form, is background code added to a digital image that allows a screen reader or other assistive technology to describe the image’s content and meaning to those who cannot see the image or may be unable to process the image due to a cognitive disability. For people who use screen readers or other assistive technologies to access digital content, accessible content is essential to ensure they are able to access and understand the content in the same way that someone who does not require assistance would. Other countries have their own requirements. In the United States, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all digital content be accessible to people with disabilities. Alternative text (also called “alt text”) helps ensure people who are blind or visually impaired, or who may have other physical or cognitive disabilities can access and understand visual content such as images, charts, and graphs. If you create or publish digital content of any kind, it’s likely by now you’ve at least heard something about the importance of creating content that’s accessible for people with disabilities. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |