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Making Digital Assets Accessible: Images

A resource to help you create accessible digital assets for projects, classes, or use online.

Accessibility Guidelines for Images

Alt Text

"Alt text (alternative text) describes the appearance or function of an image on a page. Alt text is read aloud by screen readers used by visually impaired users, displays in place of an image if it fails to load and is indexed by search engine bots to better understand the content of your page." [from - What is alt text?]

  • Use accurate and equivalent descriptions.
  • Describe the image thoroughly, but succinctly. The text should describe the content and function of the image. 
  • Include any text contained in the image.
  • Do not use the phrases "image of..." or "graphic of..." since screen readers note it is an image. 
  • Decorative images do not require long descriptions and should be "nulled" or left untagged as an image.

 

From Butler University LibGuide

Importance of Using Alt Text With Images

Tools for Creating Image Accessibility

Complex Images

Describing complex images such as graphs, charts, diagrams, and maps requires a two-part alternative text. 

Learn more at W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Complex Images tutorial.

Using Microsoft Accessibility Checker on Images