Tip #5: The How – Alt Text
Tip #5: The How – Alt Text
Hello Team,
Welcome back to our Accessibility Tips & Tricks series! We’ve reached our first truly hands-on skill in the NCADEMI Accessibility Basics: Alt Text (Images). This is where we begin making real changes to our digital documents that immediately improve access for learners, families, and colleagues.
Alt Text (short for alternative text) is a written description added to an image so that screen readers and other assistive technologies can communicate what the image shows.
It helps users who:
are blind or have low vision
use screen readers
have unreliable internet connections
rely on text-only browsing
or simply need more clarity
Alt Text ensures that images convey meaning to everyone, not just those who can see them. Learn more from NCADEMI’s overview: https://ncademi.org/create/basics/images-alt-text/
Alt Text is needed for any image that conveys meaning, including: photos, icons, diagrams, charts, and screenshots. Images that are purely decorative (shapes, borders, background images) should be marked as decorative, so screen readers skip them.
Alt Text should:
be concise (1–2 short sentences)
describe the essential meaning
avoid saying “image of…” or “picture of…” since screen readers announce that automatically
match the purpose of the image in context
Example:
Bad: “Dog.”
Better: “Golden retriever sitting beside a student reading a book.”
Best (contextual): “Therapy dog supporting a student during reading time.”
Tip: Describe what you would say aloud if someone couldn’t see the image.
Most tools make Alt Text easy to add:
Google Docs/Slides: Right-click image → “Alt Text.”
Microsoft Office: Right-click image → “View Alt Text.”
Canva: Select image → “Alt Text” in settings panel.
Web pages: Add alt="" to the <img> tag.
NCADEMI provides examples for multiple platforms at the link above.
Open a recent slide deck, handout, or webpage you created.
Pick one image that conveys meaning.
Add a short, clear Alt Text description.
If an image is decorative, mark it as decorative.
If you’re unsure, bring it to office hours—we’re happy to help.
Next week, we’ll explore Captions and how they support digital accessibility for all learners, especially those who rely on audio alternatives or benefit from reading along.
Thank you for taking this first hands-on step toward stronger digital accessibility across our ESU 10 community.
ESU 10 Accessibility Implementation and Planning Team