Images help add visual variety to a page and break up content. Sometimes, they provide additional context about the content around it, and other times, you may choose to add a photo or graphic that is just decorative. If you are intentionally adding an image that provides additional context, then you need to include alternative text or an image description to provide non-sighted visitors with equal value context if they use a screen reader. Decorative images should be marked accordingly with alt=”” which will tell a screen reader to skip over it to help prevent information overload as screen reader users consume the content on a page.
Resources
What Alternative Text Is, When to Use It, and How to Write Great Alt Text
(Pope Tech)
This article is the written version of the three following Pope Tech videos.
- Introduction to Alternative Text (approx. 2 minute video) – This video explains what alternative text is, why alternative text is important, and where alternative text can go.
- Alternative Text Image Types and When the Alt Attribute Should Be Empty (approx. 5 minute video) – This video describes the three types of images that may need alternative text and instances when the alt attribute can be empty.
- Write Great Alternative Text (approx. 3 minute video) – This video has four tips for writing great alternative text with some examples.
Writing Image Descriptions
(Accessible Social)
Although this page references social media, the information pertains to alt text for all types of website content.
Introduction to Accessible Images
(Poet Training Tool)
This site is a great tool to learn when to provide alternative text and other image descriptions. It also has examples to show you how to describe different types of images. I believe that both new and experienced communicators will find this resource helpful.
Write Alt Text Like You’re Talking To A Friend
(Cloud Four)
Alternative text should be brief yet provide enough detail to be informative. Context needs to be taken into consideration and unimportant details should be omitted. This article provides simple advice for crafting alt text with these points in mind.