Add Alternative Text in Canvas
Canvas is the online platform for all courses and MSU Denver. Learn how to add Alt-Text to any image in Canvas.
Why Make Images Accessible?
The phrase, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, expresses how an image can convey something even better than words. For those who rely on screen readers, descriptions added to the images are needed.
There are several ways to add descriptions to images to make them accessible. The two most popular are alternative text and a long description. The guides below will help you explain an image with text and decipher which option works best for what type of image.
Learn more about creating accessible content by attending the Proactive Accessibility Certification Workshop Series.
For additional assistance, contact the Instructional Accessibility Group
Learn more about creating accessible content by attending the Proactive Accessibility Certification Workshop Series.
Instructional Accessibility Group EmailMaking Images Accessible: What Doesn't Work
The following list is comprised of the most common issues that make images inaccessible and quick steps for how to avoid them:
- Providing images with little to no context; images without context can be difficult to perceive for many users.
- Instead: create context with captions and titles to better introduce the image
- Relying on auto generated alternative text; some programs will generate alt-text that is often inaccessible
- Instead: manually add alternative text to ensure accuracy
- Using color as the sole indicator; colors are not perceived in the same way by all and should be supported
- Instead: use patterns and other visual cues to indicate meaning
- Including complex images without extended description; images like infographics convey a lot of information that is inaccessible to screen readers
- Instead: add textual description of the image that conveys entire value of the image
- Including pixelated images; when images are “stretched” they become pixelated making them more difficult to view.
- Instead: resize the image in an appropriate program before adding it to the content
Guides for Creating Accessible Images
Create Alternative Text in Microsoft Office
Make images accessible in Microsoft Office programs such as Word and PowerPoint.
Create Alternative Text in Adobe Acrobat DC
Make images accessible in Adobe Acrobat.
Caption Images in Microsoft Office
Captions are small sentences of descriptive text that provide information about visual content.
Write Long Descriptions
Long Descriptions are a great option is you are feeling limited by the 125 character limit of Alternative Text.
Make Accessible Memes
Memes have become a part of culture and communication both online and off. Due to their visual nature, memes present major accessibility concerns for those who are blind or low vision.
Dig Deeper with these Additional Resources (external links)
- Visit the NCAM: Effective Practices for Description of Science Content for more information on accessible images in STEM.
- Visit WebAIM: Accessible Images for general information on making images more accessible.
- Visit WAI: Images Tutorial for more resources on creating accessible images.