Difference between revisions of "Alt Text and Captioning"

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Why and where to insert Alt Text in your Web Based Content.
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Why and Where to Provide Alt Text in your Web-based Content.
 
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==Alt Text==  
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==What is Alt Text?==  
Alt Text (or "Alternative Text") provides text based descriptions of media content to aid users who are utilizing screen readers so that they can have a better understanding of and context for what that particular content is.  
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Alt Text (or "Alternative Text") is a brief text-based description of media content for people who are using screen readers so they can have an understanding of, and context for, what that particular content is. A screen reader is an assistive technology available through a computer which can read digital content aloud to a user.
===Alt Text In Canvas===
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Canvas provides a place to include alt text, but you will need to enter it manually.
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'''Default Alt Text (name of the image)'''
 
Canvas automatically populates the "Alt text" field for an image with the name of the file as the alternative text, but this is not the correct practice for providing alt text for an image.
 
  
For instance, the file name of the image below is '''kids-tech-revised.jpg,''' which Canvas automatically enters in the Alt text field.
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===How to include Alt Text in Canvas===
  
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There are several ways to add image files to your Canvas site:
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* by using the '''Images''' tab in the Links-Files-Images sidebar (depending on browser window size, the sidebar may show at upper right or bottom of the page)
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* via the '''Embed Image''' button in the Rich Content Editor, and then the '''Canvas''' tab
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* at the '''Files''' page using drag-and-drop or selecting it from your computer
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* by uploading it to your own Canvas file storage
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* AVOID adding image files into '''Modules''' as there is not a way to add alt text.
  
'''Screenshot of where to insert Alt text'''
 
[[File:Screen Shot 2017-03-14 at 12.08.14 PM.png|center|300px|thumbnail|Where to insert alt text]]
 
  
It is important to change the automated alt text to text which better describes the image. This will provide users who are utilizing screen readers a better understanding of and context for what that particular media content is.
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NOTE: The only options which allow you to add Alt Text when adding/uploading the image are:
[[File:Kids-tech-revised.png|300px|thumbnail|center| kids-tech-revised.jpg]]
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* the '''Images''' tab in the Links-Files-Images sidebar
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* the '''Embed Image''' tool
  
'''An example of appropriate Alt text:''' One boy and two girls sitting on a couch with a smartphone, tablet, and laptop.  
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If you add images using any of the other methods, you can add alt text when you insert/embed the image into a page or activity (e.g. discussion, assignment, quiz).
  
  
 
====Adding Alt Text From the Sidebar====
 
====Adding Alt Text From the Sidebar====
From the sidebar's '''Image tab''' you can upload images files from your computer and add alt text to those images when you are editing or creating content
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Through the sidebar's '''Images tab''' you can upload image files from your computer and add alt text at the same time.
 
[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 2.54.36 PM.png|150px|thumbnail|center|Where you can insert Alt Text to your image from the sidebar]]
 
[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 2.54.36 PM.png|150px|thumbnail|center|Where you can insert Alt Text to your image from the sidebar]]
  
Unlike embedding and image from the '''Embed Image button''' in the text editor or uploading a file from your '''Canvas media library''', when you upload an image directly from your computer files from the Image tab in the sidebar, Canvas '''will not automatically generate alt text for that image'''. So it is important add descriptive Alt Text.
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After you have selected the file for upload, you will need to include alt text in the file upload window's '''Alternative text''' field before you can click on the Upload button.
  
 
[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 2.55.57 PM.png|150px|thumbnail|center|Remember to add the Alternative Text.]]
 
[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 2.55.57 PM.png|150px|thumbnail|center|Remember to add the Alternative Text.]]
  
'''Decorative Images'''
 
  
A Decorative Image is a image used only to embellish the page and should not be read by screenreaders. If you think that the image you are uploading is for purely decorative purposes you should select the decorative image button.
 
  
[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-19 at 1.48.33 PM.png|center|150px|thumbnail|The Decorative Image Check Box ]]
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====Adding Alt Text via the Embed Image Tool====
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When using the '''Embed Image''' tool in the Rich Content Editor, Canvas will automatically fill the "Alt text" field with the name of the file.  
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Given file names are not always the best means for describing an image, you may need to revise this information to a more appropriate description.
  
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For instance, the file name of the image below is '''kids-tech-revised.jpg,''' which Canvas automatically enters in the "Alt text" field.
  
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[[File:Screen Shot 2017-03-14 at 12.08.14 PM.png|center|300px|thumbnail|Where to insert alt text]]
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By changing the information from a file name to a brief description of the image, you will provide users who are utilizing screen readers a better understanding of, and context for, what that particular image content is.
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[[File:Kids-tech-revised.png|300px|thumbnail|center| kids-tech-revised.jpg]]
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'''An example of appropriate Alt Text:''' One boy and two girls sitting on a couch with a smartphone, tablet, and laptop.
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===Decorative Images===
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A Decorative Image is generally an unimportant graphic or design used only to embellish the page. If you think the image you are uploading is for decorative purposes only, check the Decorative Image box. This will allow those who are using screen readers to know it is for decoration only.
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[[File:Screen Shot 2018-04-19 at 1.48.33 PM.png|center|150px|thumbnail|The Decorative Image Check Box ]]
  
 
===Alt Text in WordPress===
 
===Alt Text in WordPress===
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'''An example of appropriate Alt Text''': An image of a Pallas Cat in black, white, and grey.
 
'''An example of appropriate Alt Text''': An image of a Pallas Cat in black, white, and grey.
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===Video Captioning===  
 
===Video Captioning===  
 
Make sure that the video you link to or create includes captions or a transcript of the audio to assist screen readers.
 
Make sure that the video you link to or create includes captions or a transcript of the audio to assist screen readers.

Latest revision as of 11:43, 30 October 2018

Why and Where to Provide Alt Text in your Web-based Content.

What is Alt Text?

Alt Text (or "Alternative Text") is a brief text-based description of media content for people who are using screen readers so they can have an understanding of, and context for, what that particular content is. A screen reader is an assistive technology available through a computer which can read digital content aloud to a user.


How to include Alt Text in Canvas

There are several ways to add image files to your Canvas site:

  • by using the Images tab in the Links-Files-Images sidebar (depending on browser window size, the sidebar may show at upper right or bottom of the page)
  • via the Embed Image button in the Rich Content Editor, and then the Canvas tab
  • at the Files page using drag-and-drop or selecting it from your computer
  • by uploading it to your own Canvas file storage
  • AVOID adding image files into Modules as there is not a way to add alt text.


NOTE: The only options which allow you to add Alt Text when adding/uploading the image are:

  • the Images tab in the Links-Files-Images sidebar
  • the Embed Image tool


If you add images using any of the other methods, you can add alt text when you insert/embed the image into a page or activity (e.g. discussion, assignment, quiz).


Adding Alt Text From the Sidebar

Through the sidebar's Images tab you can upload image files from your computer and add alt text at the same time.

Where you can insert Alt Text to your image from the sidebar

After you have selected the file for upload, you will need to include alt text in the file upload window's Alternative text field before you can click on the Upload button.

Remember to add the Alternative Text.


Adding Alt Text via the Embed Image Tool

When using the Embed Image tool in the Rich Content Editor, Canvas will automatically fill the "Alt text" field with the name of the file. Given file names are not always the best means for describing an image, you may need to revise this information to a more appropriate description.

For instance, the file name of the image below is kids-tech-revised.jpg, which Canvas automatically enters in the "Alt text" field.


Where to insert alt text


By changing the information from a file name to a brief description of the image, you will provide users who are utilizing screen readers a better understanding of, and context for, what that particular image content is.

kids-tech-revised.jpg

An example of appropriate Alt Text: One boy and two girls sitting on a couch with a smartphone, tablet, and laptop.


Decorative Images

A Decorative Image is generally an unimportant graphic or design used only to embellish the page. If you think the image you are uploading is for decorative purposes only, check the Decorative Image box. This will allow those who are using screen readers to know it is for decoration only.

The Decorative Image Check Box

Alt Text in WordPress

Add alternative (Alt) text to images.

  1. In the Page or Post, click on the image once to highlight it.
  2. From the pop-up mini-menu, click on the Edit (pencil icon) button
  3. At the Image Details page, enter a description of the image in the Alternative Text field
  4. Click the blue Update button in the lower right corner to save.


The Edit Icon
Where to insert Alt Text


An example of appropriate Alt Text: An image of a Pallas Cat in black, white, and grey.


Video Captioning

Make sure that the video you link to or create includes captions or a transcript of the audio to assist screen readers.

To check if the YouTube video includes captioning, check the lower right-hand side of the screen for the CC icon.

NOTE: Make sure you check the accuracy of the captions on YouTube before you upload it to your site. YouTube includes automated captioning which can often be inaccurate in comparison to the actual audio.


Screenshot of Youtube Captioning