Lauren Lee | June 3, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

Images convey information. For those who are blind or visually impaired, that information is missed unless the image contains “alternative text,” or alt text for short. 

Alternative text conveys information that is presented visually through text. People who use screen readers (a kind of assistive technology that turns text into audible speech or braille) need alternative text to understand all the information that is being conveyed. 

Consider this example:

For those who don’t read screen readers, the alternative text reads:

The left reads: "How would you describe this image to someone blind or low vision? Swipe to see how we do it at E-Text". There is a graphic in the center. On the righthand side is the text, "A concept map with Corporation in the center. Arrows lead outward to six different boxes labelled Manager, Employees, Community, Stockholders, Customers, and Suppliers." 

Another example of alternative text in action:

The alternative text reads: The lefthand side reads: "How would you describe this image to someone blind or low vision? Swipe to see how we do it at E-Text". In the center is a cartoon. The righthand side reads: A cartoon showing a smiling woman walking toward a bird in a cage and carrying a large blanket decorated with ferocious predators as she says, "Bedtime, Leroy. Here comes your animal blanket". The bird looks dazed and has no feathers left.

While technology is becoming better at recognizing images, the context and function are often lost. Currently, humans are very necessary to make sure that the alt text conveys the information that machines miss. 

Are you interested in learning more about alternative text, or need some help creating alt text yourself?