Introduction to Accessibility and Alt Text

At Seattle University, our goal is to make sure that all of our online course pages can be read by screen readers. A screen reader is a software application that enables people with severe visual impairments to use a computer. Screen readers work closely with the computer's Operating System (OS) to provide information about icons, menus, dialogue boxes, files and folders.

We will cover more accessibility issues later in the course but for images, it is important that someone who can't see the image can get the information they need. For example, take a look at the image in the paragraph below. If you couldn't see this, you would be missing vital information.*

Using Alt Text

Alternative text or "alt text" provides a description of an image. If users cannot see an image due to a slow connection or because it is being read by a screen reader they can get a description of the image from the alt text. When you upload an image to Canvas, you will be prompted to add Alternative Text. Unless it is purely a decorative image, it is always a good idea to briefly describe your image. If it is only decorative, click the Decorative Image checkbox.

Shows the Canvas Image Upload window with the text box in which to write Alternative Text or the checkbox to use if the image is merely decorative.

If you didn't add alternative text when you uploaded an image, don't worry, you can always add it later by highlighting the image and clicking on the Image Embed Icon. This will open a window that will allow you to add alt text.

* The alt text for the image above reads: Shows the Canvas Image Upload window with the text box in which to write Alternative Text or the checkbox to use if the image is merely decorative.