Accessible Images

What is ALT Text?

ALT text is a brief text description of images and graphics.

  • Screen readers announce alternative text in place of images, helping users with visual or certain cognitive disabilities perceive the content and function of the images.
  • If an image fails to load or the user has blocked images, the browser will present the alternative text visually in place of the image.
  • Search engines use alternative text and factor it into their assessment of the page purpose and content.

Adding Alt Text

  • Alt text is required whenever an image is uploaded to the sdstate.edu website.
  • It should convey the context and function (where it links to, if the image is also a link) of the image.
  • Keep the description concise, without sacrificing the meaning or intent of the image.
  • Start alt text with a capitol letter.
  • Alt text should always end with a period, even if it’s not a complete sentence. This ensures the screen reader pauses after reading the alt text.
Do NOT
  • Do NOT use file name as alt text.
  • Do NOT use "Image of" or "Photo of" in the description.
  • Do NOT rely on AI generated alt text alone. Although machine learning and artificial intelligence is improving quickly and can describe some images quite accurately, they are not good enough at understanding the relevant context at the moment. 
Real Life Examples
  • A headshot image of a faculty member:
    • First name and last name serve as an acceptable alternative text description, e.g. “Jane Doe.â€
  • A group of students on campus:
    • Include the location of the photograph, the name of the group featured and any significant landmarks serve as an acceptable alternative text description, e.g. “Four dairy science sophomores prepare to climb the Coughlin Campanile.â€
Images With Text
  • It’s best to avoid images with text in them.
  • If they are used, all text contained in an image must be placed in the alternative text.

Issues with Images with Text

  • Screen readers and other assistive technologies cannot read the text unless proper alternative text is provided.
  • Screen reader users struggle with images of text even when there is alt text. The alt text is read as a single run-on sentence. Line breaks, headings, table structure and lists are lost, and if any words are missed the user cannot go back a line – they have to start over at the beginning.
  • Mobile users struggle with images of text. The lines cannot reflow, so the browser just makes it smaller and smaller and smaller, where is could possibly illegible.
  • If someone has a slow or unreliable internet connection, their browser may not display the image. If so, they are at risk of missing out on important information that’s conveyed in the image.
  • Search engines rely on actual text to index content. They can’t read text contained within images.
  • Text inside images (such as a company’s address that is fixed in an image) cannot be copied.
  • A page translator cannot translate the text.

When using Images with Text

  • Always provide alternative text for words included on the image.
  • If the text in the image is longer than a sentence, reproduce its contents on the page as regular text.
Resources

Need help with alternative text or have questions? Reach out to us.

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