Alt Tag Text

In order for an image to be accessible, proper “alt tags” must be provided. What goes into the Alt Tag will depend on both the image, and the content in which you are placing it.

For examples of Alt Tag naming, please visit Accessibility and Usability at Penn State: Image ALT Text.

What should I write?

For this image:

Portrait of Sigmund Freud

I would provide the following alt text: Sigmund Freud

And for this image:

sleeping kitten

I would set the Alt Text to: sleeping kitten

When writing Alt Text, be as concise as possible. Images don't take up much of a sighted user's time, and the experience should be similar for students using screen readers. Each case will be unique, depending on how/why you are using the image, but try to exclude extraneous information and keep it simple.

Adding Alt Text during Image Upload Process

Canvas makes it easy to add an Alt Tag when uploading an image to embed in a content page.

screenshot of steps to upload an image

Click the "Images" tab in the Content Selector.
Click the "Browse" button and select the image to upload.
Type your Alt Tag in the "Alternative text" box provided. (Note: if the image is purely for decoration, and does not relate to content, click the "Decorative image" box instead of typing an alternative text.)
Click the "Upload" button.

Editing Alt Text Later

You can also add an Alt Tag when embedding an image from elsewhere on the web, or edit the alt tag you had created previously by clicking the photo itself in the Rich Content Editor, and then clicking the Embed Image icon, seen here:

Rich Content Editor Embed Image icon

You will find a field titled "Alt Text", which will show the current Alternative Text, and you may update it as you see fit.

Additional Resources:

Creating Accessible Content with the Rich Media Editor (This link will take you to another Canvas server - just close it to return to GWC's Canvas server.)

Alt tags must also be provided for images placed in documents that are uploaded to your class. See resources below: