Images

  • Last modification date Updated On June 4, 2024

Strategies

Related Guidelines1: WCAG 1.1.1, WCAG 1.4.11, WCAG 1.4.5, WCAG 2.1.1

  • Adding alternative text (alt text) to images you provide can be a great help to students. We offer some introductory information at Alternative Text. To learn more about alt text, including what it is and how to use it, visit What is Alternative Text?
  • Whenever possible, we encourage you to use a color contrast checker tool. For more information, review Color Contrast.

Specific Tools

Google Docs

In a Google doc, you can access alt text by right-clicking on the image, then selecting the Alt text option from the menu.

Alt Text in Google Docs
Alt Text in the Right-Click Menu in Google Docs

Next, in the pop-up window, fill in the areas with the appropriate text (title and description), and then select OK.

Alt Text Title and Description Field in Google Docs
Alt Text Pop-up Window in Google Docs
Microsoft Word

In a Microsoft Word document, there are two different ways to add alt text to an image inside of a document:

Version 1

In this option, first, select the image. Go to the Picture Format tab from the top menu, then select the alt text option in the ribbon.

Alt Text button under Picture Format in Microsoft Word
Alt Text in the Microsoft Word Tool Ribbon

Version 2

In this option, right-click on the image in the document, then select the View Alt Text option from the dropdown menu.

View Alt Text in Microsoft Word
View Alt Text in the Microsoft Word Right-Click Menu

This will open a dialogue box on the side in which you can then type in your alt text description.

Alt Text field in Microsoft Word
Alt Text Dialogue Box in Microsoft Word

Tips

Subject Matter Expertise

If you’re a teaching assistant (TA) or staff, we advise consulting your course’s instructor before writing the alt text, as doing so may require subject matter expertise, particularly for complex graphics.

Analyzing Images

If requiring learners to analyze an image to complete an assignment, keep in mind that alt text alone may not be enough for learners with vision loss to successfully complete the task (e.g., analyzing an artistic piece in an art course).

If this is the case, here are a few things you can do:

  • Try reworking the question to remove the image, if it can be done without jeopardizing the learning outcomes.
  • If analyzing images is an essential requirement of the course (e.g., an art course), then we recommend taking the time to clearly communicate these essential requirements in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Planning ahead helps to ensure that you have time to work with your learners, as well as Student Disability Services (SDS). 
Accessibility Checker

Some programs can help you to search for and track accessibility errors. The following Microsoft products have an Accessibility Checker that generates a list of accessibility errors:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • Outlook
  • OneNote
  • PowerPoint

This technology is not perfect and cannot flag all errors. Because of this, if possible, we recommend doing a manual review as well.

For more detailed information about the accessibility checker in Microsoft Word: Microsoft’s Improve Accessibility with the Accessibility Checker.

  1. These links are to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) associated with the strategies on this page. Review Our Approach for more information about WCAG. ↩