CriticA11y Important - Image Alt-Text (04.17.2026)
From Natalie Vandepol
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Image Alt-Text Slides
How should I decide whether an image needs alt text, a caption, or should be marked as decorative?
Alt text is primarily for assistive technology and should concisely describe the image’s purpose or meaning. A caption is visible to sighted users and may also be read by a screen reader, so it can provide additional context or detail that does not fit well in short alt text. Images should only be treated as decorative when they are truly unrelated to the learning experience. If an image supports the content or activity, include an accessible description or text version. (answered by MSU IT & LTD)
What do I do when alt text for a complex image, chart, graph, or infographic needs to be really long?
Use short alt text to identify the image and its purpose, then provide a longer description somewhere else in the document or slide, such as a caption, text box, or clearly labeled link. James was not able to confirm whether hidden text or speaker notes would reliably be read by assistive technology, so the safer approach is to keep the longer description available in the slide/document itself. Focus on what the image is, why it is there, the main message, and the details students need in order to meet the learning objective. (answered by MSU IT)
What should I do with screenshots, infographics, or other images that contain a lot of text?
Avoid using screenshots of text whenever possible. Screen readers may not be able to interpret text that is embedded in an image, so the better option is to provide the actual text in an accessible format. If the image must stay, use OCR, Snagit, ChatGPT, Gemini, or another tool to extract the text, then add the text near the image in an accessible format, such as below the image or in an accordion. Be sure to review and correct the extracted text, because these tools may not capture everything accurately. (answered by LTD & MSU IT)
When an image contains text, do I need to transcribe everything, summarize the relevant meaning, or mark it as decorative?
The goal is to provide an equivalent learning experience. If the text is meaningful to the content, activity, or assessment, provide it in accessible text or include a description. If only the general point matters, the description can focus on the relevant meaning rather than reproducing every word. For example, an inspirational quote should be made accessible if it supports the learning experience, but it may be treated as decorative if it is truly unrelated to the content or activity. (answered by MSU IT)
Can AI tools help generate alt text?
Yes, AI tools can be useful for drafting alt text, especially for complex images, but they work best when the instructor provides context about the discipline, purpose, and learning goal. The AI output still needs to be reviewed and edited by a human. (answered by MSU IT)
What should I do when alt text in an assessment might give away the answer?
Do not write alt text that gives away the answer. Instead, describe the observable features students need in order to complete the same task. For example, if students are identifying an object, style, or category, describe relevant features without naming the answer. (answered by MSU IT)
What do I do if an image from a guest speaker, publisher, journal, or other outside source has color contrast issues?
This was not fully resolved. One possible approach is to recreate or edit the image using ChatGPT, Snagit, or another image-editing tool to improve the color contrast, but James noted that he would need to look further into tool capabilities before giving a definitive recommendation. (answered by MSU IT)
Alt text is primarily for assistive technology and should concisely describe the image’s purpose or meaning. A caption is visible to sighted users and may also be read by a screen reader, so it can provide additional context or detail that does not fit well in short alt text. Images should only be treated as decorative when they are truly unrelated to the learning experience. If an image supports the content or activity, include an accessible description or text version. (answered by MSU IT & LTD)
Use short alt text to identify the image and its purpose, then provide a longer description somewhere else in the document or slide, such as a caption, text box, or clearly labeled link. James was not able to confirm whether hidden text or speaker notes would reliably be read by assistive technology, so the safer approach is to keep the longer description available in the slide/document itself. Focus on what the image is, why it is there, the main message, and the details students need in order to meet the learning objective. (answered by MSU IT)
Avoid using screenshots of text whenever possible. Screen readers may not be able to interpret text that is embedded in an image, so the better option is to provide the actual text in an accessible format. If the image must stay, use OCR, Snagit, ChatGPT, Gemini, or another tool to extract the text, then add the text near the image in an accessible format, such as below the image or in an accordion. Be sure to review and correct the extracted text, because these tools may not capture everything accurately. (answered by LTD & MSU IT)
The goal is to provide an equivalent learning experience. If the text is meaningful to the content, activity, or assessment, provide it in accessible text or include a description. If only the general point matters, the description can focus on the relevant meaning rather than reproducing every word. For example, an inspirational quote should be made accessible if it supports the learning experience, but it may be treated as decorative if it is truly unrelated to the content or activity. (answered by MSU IT)
Yes, AI tools can be useful for drafting alt text, especially for complex images, but they work best when the instructor provides context about the discipline, purpose, and learning goal. The AI output still needs to be reviewed and edited by a human. (answered by MSU IT)
Do not write alt text that gives away the answer. Instead, describe the observable features students need in order to complete the same task. For example, if students are identifying an object, style, or category, describe relevant features without naming the answer. (answered by MSU IT)
This was not fully resolved. One possible approach is to recreate or edit the image using ChatGPT, Snagit, or another image-editing tool to improve the color contrast, but James noted that he would need to look further into tool capabilities before giving a definitive recommendation. (answered by MSU IT)
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