[Athen] Diversity Markers in Image Descriptions

[Stager, Catherine]

Recently did alt text for a book on Women across Cultures. After conferring within our department, we decided not to focus on the person’s skintone but rather to focus on the germane location and surroundings to convey the info (e.g. Barefoot woman carries baby while walking dirt footpath in Botswanan countryside.)
Don’t know if this would reflect all of our college’s thinking, but it seemed to convey the image most appropriately to us.
Would love to hear what others think.
Best,
Cath

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Mary Popish
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 3:11 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Diversity Markers in Image Descriptions


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Hi everybody,

I manage a group of student employees who produce alternate formats for blind and low vision students at Portland State University. As you can imagine, as part of this work we often write descriptions for images in course materials, which includes class slide decks, handouts, articles, and textbooks.

Recently, we've been reflecting on our practices around describing physical characteristics of people in these images, and discussing whether or not descriptions should address race/gender/ethnicity/disability/religious dress/other visible characteristics. Currently, we leave out details about people's physical appearance unless those things are germane to the purpose of the image. The question came up about whether we should consider including descriptions of diversity, and how and whether we could do so without making interpretations or assumptions (or making the descriptions too cumbersome and long).

I'm reaching out to see if other schools have a policy around how/whether you describe people's visible characteristics in image descriptions, or if anyone is willing to share what your current practice is even if it isn't an official policy. I'd also love to hear from any screen reader users who would be willing to share your preferences.

Thanks so much,
Mary

Mary Popish
Adaptive Technology Specialist & Alternate Formats Coordinator
Disability Resource Center
Portland State University

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