Alternative text (alt text) is text associated with a digital image which conveys the same essential information as the image. It’s important to make the alt text relevant to the image, but not overly complicated. A concise, descriptive phrase is usually best.
Tips for adding alt text
As a state institution, we’re required by law to have alt text for all images on our websites and within documents available to faculty, staff, students and the general public. This ensures that our information is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.
- All images, form image buttons, and image map hot spots should have appropriate, equivalent alternative text.
- Images that do not convey content, are decorative, or contain content that is already conveyed in text are given null alt text (alt="") or implemented as CSS backgrounds.
- Equivalent alternatives to complex images should be provided in context or on a separate page (linked and/or referenced via the longdesc attribute).
Note: Don’t use the phrases “image of” or “photo of” within the alt text. The screen reader will read this as “image of ‘image of authentication process.’”
Images and Content Management Systems
When using a Content Management System (CMS), like Cascade, to update websites, addition of alt text is oftentimes enforced; you will not be able to add the image without adding alt text. For any other CMS or WordPress sites, you may need to take care to add alt text, as it may not be a requirement of the application. For instance, within WordPress, alt text is still required, but not strictly enforced to move forward to the next step. Alt text should be established at the time you upload an image and should be relevant to context of the content.
Image sizing
When using images on websites, make sure the image size is similar to the actual size you’d like it on the webpage. Adjustments can be made in Photoshop or other photo editing application before uploading the file. Large file sizes slow down webpage loading and can be disproportionately large.