What is Alternative Text?

Alternative text is a concise description of an image embedded within a webpage’s code. The description is read aloud to visually-impaired viewers using a screen reader. Its primary purpose is to provide context and meaning to users who cannot see the image. Alt text also provides a fallback in case the image fails to load and plays a role in search engine results. (Alternative Text from WebAIM)

Why it matters

Without alt text, screen readers are unable to communicate what the image represents to the user. An image may convey vital information, or it might serve a decorative function. The WCAG 2.2 standards ensure that web authors include alt text that communicates an image's role, content, and relevance, creating a more inclusive experience for users with disabilities.

WCAG 2.2 Alt Text Guidelines and Examples

WCAG 2.2 reinforces the importance of providing text alternatives for non-text content. Specifically, Guideline 1.1.1 focuses on the principle that all non-text content (like images, videos, and charts) must have a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose.

How to Fix It

Fix it in Canvas UDOIT

UDOIT Advantage is a Canvas plugin that allows you to check for accessibility within an entire Canvas course and prompts you with instructions on fixing problems. It can scan the course shell and documents uploaded into the course, including recognizing text in scanned PDFs.

To see the UDOIT remediation process in action, check out the UDOIT Alt Text tutorial from COLRS!

Fix it with ODA & COLRS

Join the Office of Digital Accessibility and the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service for a 30-minute workshop on tackling Alt-Text in Microsoft Word and Canvas

• What: Fix It: Alt-Text in Microsoft Word and Canvas Workshop
• When: Thursday, October 10th 11:00 a.m.
• Where: COLRS Zoom Room