Introduction to Alternative Text Tags Webinar

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of alternative text tags, their importance in web accessibility, and how to implement them effectively. Understanding and using alternative text is crucial for creating inclusive digital content that can be accessed by individuals with disabilities.

Step 1: Understanding Alternative Text Tags

• Alternative text (alt text) is a written description of an image or graphic on a webpage.
• It serves two main purposes:
  • Provides context for users who cannot see the image, such as those using screen readers.
  • Improves SEO by helping search engines understand the content of the image.
• It is essential to ensure that alt text is present for all meaningful images.

Step 2: Writing Effective Alternative Text

• When crafting alt text, consider the following guidelines:
  • Be concise: Aim for a brief description (usually under 125 characters).
  • Be descriptive: Clearly convey the content and function of the image.
  • Avoid redundancy: Do not repeat information already provided in surrounding text.

Practical Tips for Writing Alt Text

• Use specific language: Instead of "dog," describe the breed or action, e.g., "Golden Retriever playing fetch."
• Context matters: Tailor your alt text to the image's role on the page (e.g., decorative vs. informative).
• Test your descriptions: Use screen reader software to hear how your alt text sounds.

Step 3: Implementing Alternative Text Tags in HTML

To add alt text to images in HTML, use the following structure:

<img src="image-url.jpg" alt="Description of the image">

• Ensure that the alt attribute is included within the <img> tag.
• For decorative images that do not convey information, use an empty alt attribute:

<img src="decorative-image.jpg" alt="">

Step 4: Testing for Accessibility Compliance

• Use accessibility testing tools to check whether all images have appropriate alt text.
• Common tools include:
  • WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
  • Axe Accessibility Checker
• Regularly review and update alt text as content changes or images are added.

Conclusion

Incorporating alternative text tags is a vital component of web accessibility. By writing clear, descriptive alt text and implementing it correctly in your HTML, you contribute to a more inclusive online environment. Moving forward, consider conducting periodic audits of your website to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and enhance user experience for all visitors.