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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">My context comes from the perspective of a totally blind individual who relies on alternative text and also does work in the accessibility space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">While I tend to agree that we need to be careful how we indicate various aspects of identity in our alternative text, we must also remember that it is information that is conveyed to sighted individuals. A picture
is worth 1000 words … but brevity and prioritization must be our guide as we craft our descriptions, as well. There’s quite a few competing attentions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">My advice echoes much of what has been said … Keep the description focused on key aspects of the image and what is needed to make meaning of that visual and its use. Our aim should always be equitable access,
so use words wisely but think about the information you can access as a sighted individual when viewing the image. Yes, one of my favorite tips to talk about authoring alt text is to imagine describing an image over the phone … but remember we don’t view images
through a convo over the telephone … most look at them with their eyes – and identifying information stands out when we do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">One idea I’d offer … because I believe identity and diversity representation are important (and blind people shouldn’t be excluded from engaging with these ideas either) … When using images provided by the subject
themselves, maybe consider having them describe the image? In this way, they’d share identifiers which are most relevant and meaningful to them … and those are prioritized and conveyed in the description.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Alt text is difficult – and with good reason because visuals convey so much meaning. We must be responsible with the information conveyed and with being concise as to not burden screen reader users with walls
of descriptive text.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Love these conversations and the wisdom shared in this group.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Be well,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">J<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">Justin Romack</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black"> | Assistive Technology Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">Disability Resources | Texas A&M University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">1224 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-1224<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">ph: 979.845.1637 | justinr@disability.tamu.edu</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times",serif;color:#1F497D">
</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">| disability.tamu.edu<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:black">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:#500000">DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif;color:#500000">| One Division. One Mission.</span><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> athen-list <athen-list-bounces@mailman12.u.washington.edu>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Hunziker, Dawn A - (hunziker)<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 13, 2020 5:47 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list@u.washington.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Athen] [EXT] Diversity Markers in Image Descriptions<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Mary,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I recently had this conversation with a unit at the University of Arizona. I asked them how they would describe the image to someone who they may be talking to on the phone, for example. Would they include a description of ethnicity, gender,
race, religion, etc. The answer came back as “no” so I suggested they follow the same protocol in alt text descriptions. I also suggested keeping a general description based on the fact that there are times when we make assumptions for gender identity, race,
religion, etc. that may not be accurate, as you pointed out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You could simply say “A diverse group of students gathering in the library” as an option…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dawn<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dawn Hunziker<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">IT Accessibility Consultant, Sr. | Disability Resources <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The University of Arizona | <a href="mailto:hunziker@arizona.edu">
hunziker@arizona.edu</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/drc.arizona.edu/__;!!KwNVnqRv!TIO81wGeDwtR4ZHJt-hae1cgeIA3rdaRpPiWudgLIDKEhxaa7ICzPQj7yarN2YC0bw1f7jiB$">drc.arizona.edu</a> |
<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/itaccessibility.arizona.edu/__;!!KwNVnqRv!TIO81wGeDwtR4ZHJt-hae1cgeIA3rdaRpPiWudgLIDKEhxaa7ICzPQj7yarN2YC0b8fyDxw6$">
itaccessibility.arizona.edu</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">520-626-9409<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> athen-list <<a href="mailto:athen-list-bounces@mailman12.u.washington.edu">athen-list-bounces@mailman12.u.washington.edu</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Mary Popish<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 13, 2020 2:11 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Access Technology Higher Education Network <<a href="mailto:athen-list@u.washington.edu">athen-list@u.washington.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXT][Athen] Diversity Markers in Image Descriptions<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><strong><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:red">External Email</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi everybody,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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). <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much,<br>
Mary<br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Mary Popish</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Adaptive Technology Specialist & Alternate Formats Coordinator</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Disability Resource Center</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Portland State University</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Phone: (503) 725-9119</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Fax: (503) 725-4103</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Email: <a href="mailto:drc@pdx.edu" target="_blank">drc@pdx.edu</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">URL: <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.pdx.edu/drc__;!!KwNVnqRv!TIO81wGeDwtR4ZHJt-hae1cgeIA3rdaRpPiWudgLIDKEhxaa7ICzPQj7yarN2YC0bycMSEQQ$" target="_blank">http://www.pdx.edu/drc</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Pronouns: she / her / hers</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">--- </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">We hope you are doing well during this difficult time. We are still here for you! We are performing all essential work of the DRC remotely, including initial appointments and drop-ins.
Please note, the DRC's hours have changed. The DRC is now open Monday through Thursday and the office is closed on Fridays. We will return messages as soon as possible when we return to the office. Call 503-725-4150, email
<a href="mailto:drc@pdx.edu" target="_blank">drc@pdx.edu</a>, or visit our virtual front desk between 12p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday at
<a href="https://pdx.zoom.us/j/379914326" target="_blank">https://pdx.zoom.us/j/379914326</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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