Image and Multimedia Tips
- For all images, ensure that you have sufficient alternative text or alt-text.
- Alt-text should convey all the essential information conveyed by an image / the purposes of the image to someone who is unable to see the image;
- It should not begin with "An image of...", "a picture of...". Simply provide a description of the image as presented; and,
- If an image contains text that is imporant, ensure that the text is captured by the alt-text or otherwise available in text near by the image.
- Any videos posted to your site from YouTube or some other method should have captions available. Below are examples of commonly used tools for captioning videos:
- Avoid images of text.
- When the image is zoomed to 200% or more, the text will become jagged and hard to read, text itself can be scaled cleanly to any size;
- Search engines will not be able to find the text within the images so people will not be able to find your content; and,
- If an image contains important text, always put the text from image in the alt-text for the benefit of sight-impared individuals.
- It is recommended that if you are using images in your content that will have text wrapping around them that you place the image to the right.
- This will help some users with cognitive disabilities locate the start of the next line easier.
Alt-Text Example for Images
Consider figure 1. If the intended purpose of the image is...
- ... to have an image depicting scientists purely for visual appeal.
- The following alt-text would be appropriate: "Two scientists in discussion".
- ... to show specific individuals or a specific focus.
- The following would be appropriate: "From left-to-right: Eugenia Duodu and Patrick Gunning".
- ... to show the actual contents of or the action within an image.
- The following would be appropriate: "Professor Patrick Gunning and doctoral student Eugenia Duodo talking by a chemistry fume hood."
