Alt Text

Alt text — short for alternate or alternative text — is a text description of an image that is read aloud to people who visit our website using assistive technology, like screen readers. Alt text is required for all images on Brandeis websites.

Alt text should be:

When writing alt text, consider the purpose of the image.

Examples

The alt text, Map of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic States, may be sufficient in one scenario; however, Map of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic States illustrating common routes of the Underground Railroad, circa 1855, might be more appropriate in another.

An image of a group of students could be described in multiple ways. What is the context?

How to Add Alt Text

In the CMS, look for a field labeled "alt text" or "image description" in any content type that allows for an image.

Images of Words

Text within an image should be used sparingly. If used, the alternate text must include all the words that appear on the image. For example, the alt text in this image might be:

A dynamic play at a women's soccer game, text: can you see yourself here?

A dynamic play at a women's soccer game, text: can you see yourself here?