What is Alt Text?
Students who are vision-impaired will most likely use a screen reader to access your course site. The screen reader will only read text, not images.
Therefore it is important to have alternative text (also known as Alt Text) so that students who cannot see the image can still receive the information it contains.
Best Practice is that every image always contains descriptive Alt Text (unless the image is used as decoration).
Avoid labels like "Figure 2" or "Table 3.5" and choose more descriptive language like "Mitochondria are jelly bean-shaped with an outer and inner membrane," or "The average life expectancy in America has increased over the last 50 years."
To add or check for Alt Text in Moodle:
1. Click Edit Settings for any Page, Label, etc. where the image is located in Moodle.
2. Select (by double-clicking on it) or add the image.
3. Add descriptive text to the Describe this image for someone who cannot see it field. Make sure that this text describes the image effectively for anyone using a screen reader for visual impairment.
4. When finished, click the Save image button.
To add or check for Alt Text in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, etc.):
1. Right-click on the image and select Edit Alt Text
2. In the Alt Text panel that opens, enter the text describes the image effectively for anyone using a screen reader for visual impairment.
