Module 3 | PowerPoint | Images Alternative Text Examples

Developing Meaningful Alternative Text

Alternative text should be added to all non-text elements including: 

  • Pictures
  • Graphs
  • Charts 
  • Tables 

How to Write Good Alt Text

  • Describe the image as specifically as possible
  • Keep it (relatively) short - 120 characters or less
  • Don't include "image of," "picture of," etc. in your alt text (it's assumed that your are describing an image)

 

Meaningful Alt Text for the Learner:

  • What is the context of the image? What meaning does it add to the page?
  • Be concise. Describe only what you expect visual users to get out of the image
  • If the image is already described in the surrounding text, the alt text can be very short
  • If an image is purely decorative, mark it as such ("decorative")

 

Examples

5 boats traveling on the Thames with the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in the background.

❌  Incorrect Description:  Westminster.png 

✅  Correct Description: 5 boats traveling on the Thames with the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in the background.

 

 

Civillians and soldiers shooting, with black smoke and the Bastille is on fire in the background.

❌  Incorrect Description: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b103025148 Links to an external site.

✅  Correct Description: Civilians and soldiers shooting, with black smoke and the Bastille is on fire in the background.  

 

Keep it brief and context-specific

Consider the purpose of the image. Image descriptions can vastly differ depending on the context and meaning it tries to convey. Keep your descriptions concise and relevant (120 characters or less, if possible).

Van Gogh Example

In history class: A field covered with poppies. Poppies have become a symbol of remembrance for World War I.

In art class: A painting by Van Gogh in Post-Impressionism using dramatic brush strokes. It shows a field with poppies in the foreground, trees in the background, and dark skies.

As a course banner: Select "Decorative image." 

 

Charts, Graphs, and Maps

Describing complex images such as charts, graphs, and maps is important. If the data is crucial to the content of your course, at least a summary should be provided. In some cases, an additional spreadsheet containing the chart data can provide additional clarity and accessibility.

Sample graph

Correct Alternative Text: A chart that shows the causes of deforestation in the Amazon between 2000 and 2005. 'Cattle ranches' are shown as the biggest cause of deforestation (60%), followed by 'small-scale, subsistence agriculture' (33%) and 'logging, legal and illegal' (6%). 'Large-scale commercial agriculture' is the smallest cause of deforestation with 1%.