About Alternative Text for Images
Learn How/Put Into Practice
Module Outcomes
- Identify where an alternative text is necessary
- Use the Content Selector in the Rich Content Editor to embed images
- Add alternative text to your images
- Add alternative text to graphics and charts
What is alt text?
According to WebAIM, alternative text provides a textual alternative to non-text content in web pages. Alternative text must be provided to the user which presents the CONTENT and FUNCTION of each image within your Canvas content.
Why is alternative text important?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 1.3 Billion people live with some sort of visual impairment. Alternative text provides visually impaired people with the description of the image while they use assistive technology such as screen readers.
As a function of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), alternative text is also useful for people who may prefer to have text read out loud. For example, people may use headphones to access text so they can listen to the content while driving or walking. Also, following UDL principles, infographics, charts, graphics, and maps benefit learners who may have reading comprehension difficulties, so it's best to keep this format, but also include a text description.