[Athen] Guide to Writing Alt Text

[Christine Robinson]

Hi all –

The image description guidelines from the Diagram Center are wonderful. As someone who tries to guide busy faculty and staff in creating alt text, however – it’s a tough sell to try to get people to read that much.

Here’s what I’ve been telling people (my attempt at the bottom line):
Alt text should briefly convey (1) the purpose for which the image was included, and (2) a description of any relevant visual elements.

Comments? Criticism? Anybody got a better summary?

All ears,
Chris

Christine Robinson | Technical Trainer/Writer | Center for Teaching Excellence
Georgia Gwinnett College | 1000 University Center Lane | Lawrenceville, GA 30043

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Castiglione, Deb A
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2018 10:30 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Guide to Writing Alt Text

Thanks Kathy!

I am familiar with them, but had not thought to bring them to the attention of my colleagues. Thank you for the reminder!

We are in the process of drafting guidelines, but I know you all on this list are actually in the field writing alt text and know best what the students want/need.

Deb

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu>> on behalf of Kathleen Cahill <kcahill at mit.edu<mailto:kcahill at mit.edu>>
Reply-To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Date: Monday, April 2, 2018 at 10:04 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Guide to Writing Alt Text

Hi Deb,

Are you familiar with the Image Description guidelines put out by the Diagram Center and NCAM (National Center for Accessible Media)? They are available at http://diagramcenter.org/table-of-contents-2.html

Good luck – such a challenge with complex higher ed subjects!

Kathy


Kathy Cahill
Associate Dean, Accessibility and Usability
MIT Office of Undergraduate Education
77 Mass. Ave. 7-143
Cambridge MA 02139
kcahill at mit.edu<mailto:kcahill at mit.edu>
(617) 253-5111



From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu>> on behalf of "Castiglione, Deb A" <deb.castiglione at cengage.com<mailto:deb.castiglione at cengage.com>>
Reply-To: Access Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Date: Monday, April 2, 2018 at 9:24 AM
To: "athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu>" <athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu>>
Subject: [Athen] Guide to Writing Alt Text

Hello Everyone!

I’ve been off the list for a bit, moving and changing jobs. My employer has changed, but not my basic role – striving for universally designed and accessible learning experiences in higher ed.

I’d love to work with individuals on this list, so that we can fulfill learners’ needs and eliminate potential barriers. I hope to develop some long-term partnerships.

I don’t want to tie up the listserv, so please email me off list with thoughts and information that you feel would help to serve your learners better and create more universally designed and accessible learning experiences.

Speaking of… does anyone have a good guide/guidelines to writing alt text for higher education that they would be willing to share?

Thanks much.
Deb


What is “essential for some” is almost always “good for all” (Meyer, Rose, and Gordon, 2014).

Deb Castiglione, EdD, ATP
Director, Universal Design & Accessible Technologies
Learning Center of Excellence
Cengage
5191 Natorp Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040
513-229-1654 / 513-309-6262
deb.castiglione at cengage.com<mailto:deb.castiglione at cengage.com>

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