What is an Alternative Text
Alternative text is a simple description added to an image that helps individuals using assistive technology understand what the visual image is and its purpose or function so they can fully experience and engage with the digital content or website.
What to keep in mind when writing Alternative Text
- Alt text is meaningful, simple, and descriptive.
- Be concise; 80-100 characters.
- Alt text describes the contents of the image.
- Avoid fabricating the contents of the image.
- Avoid redundancy of any text near the image.
- You do not need to add or include the words; “image of,” “screenshot," "screen capture," or photo of.” as part of your alt text because the screen reader will automatically announce it is an image before it reads your alt text aloud.
- If your image is decorative and offers no value to the web page or document's context, please mark it as decorative; do not leave it blank.
What if you have to write an Alternative Text for a Photo of a Person
Writing Alt Text for a Headshot
Headshots are a common type of image shared digitally by the university. Please write alt text that names the subject and describes what's happening for those who cannot see the headshots.
Say that it's a headshot.
By saying that the image is a headshot, you convey several things about the image and the person in it: They are professionals, likely wearing business casual and almost certainly smiling. You don't need to explain these things in more detail for a headshot image.Include the person's full name.
Even if the name is mentioned nearby, you still need to let us know who is in the photo.If the person is doing something in the photo, could you describe it?
If the subject of the headshot is holding something, performing an action, or sitting in front of a background that communicates visual information, include that in your alt text.Don't over-describe the person.
Things can get subjective and inaccurate quickly if you're trying to describe a person's gender, ethnicity, race, clothing, hair, etc. Leave these descriptions out of your alt text for individual people unless it is essential information that cannot be accessed any other way for those who cannot see the photo.
Additional Resources
- Supercool Design has more examples of good and bad alternative text.
- Alternative Text - WebAIM Article
- Write good Alt Text to describe images - Harvard Digital Accessibility Services Article.
- Everything you need to know to write effective alt text - Microsoft Support Article
- SNHU Accessibility and Assistive Technology Resources