Make a Complex Image Accessible 

Accessibility Goal of the Week

Now you've learned two options for how to make complex images accessible in Canvas.  This week, pick either Option 1 or Option 2 and apply it to at least one complex image in Canvas for which a 1-2 sentence alt text description will not suffice.  

Remember:

  • It's not always necessary to articulate every single detail in the image.  Focus only on the information needed to understand the learning objective. 
  • For charts or graphs with data, adding a table is another way to present the information along with the image. Tables are fully accessible for screen-reading software if formatted with row and column headers.
  • Even with a textual description or table, the image should still contain alt text so screen-reading software can detect the image. The alt text can be as simple as "[Chart/Infographic/Painting] is described thoroughly in the preceding [text/table/linked document]".  

You've heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words", right?  Still stuck on what words to use to describe a complex image? Below are some excellent resources that can help:

Describing flowcharts and concept maps from Penn State University

Describing screenshots from Penn State University

Describing art forms from Art Beyond Sight's Museum Education Institute

 

Want more training for describing the seemingly indescribable?  Check out the Poet Image Description Training Tool from The Diagram Center.  

 

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