Alternative text, or alt text, is a brief written description that explains the content and purpose of visual elements like images, charts, and graphics. It is primarily used to make digital content accessible to individuals who use assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
Alt text is increasingly important since all students can now turn documents like PDF files of course readings into audio files using the Ally student tool. If any images are missing alt text, the content will be skipped by the screen reader and students will miss important information.
The Center for Transformative Teaching has helpful guides to help with alt text.
- CTT Accessibility/UDL Resource shares how to write good alt text.
- Quick Guide to Making Your Courses Title II Compliant shares how to add alt text to different programs.
Canvas Alt Text Best-Practices
There are many options for adding alt text directly to Canvas, some of which are not recommended due to current limitations with the Ally tool.
To ensure that alt text successfully transfers during the course copy process, it is recommended that you add it directly within the content that you are developing (e.g., on a page or within an assignment). This results in higher quality alt text because it is tailored to the context in which the image appears.
- Open the page or assignment where the image is embedded.
- Click the Edit button.
- Click on the image and select Image Options.
- Add alt text in the box that appears.
- Click Done at the bottom of the page.
Alternative methods for adding alt text, like adding it directly into the Files area or using the Ally Course Accessibility Report interface, should be avoided since alt text added using that method is currently not transferring when the course is copied, such as into the new converged Canvas instance.
The Ally tool is still a great way to make accessibility easier for everything else in Canvas. Alt text is the only area where the tool has limitations when transferring content across courses.
For additional questions about writing good alt text or making your course ADA Title II compliant, contact the instructional designer that works with your unit.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/CTT-ADATitleIIQuickGuide