Creating Accessible Images in Webcourses@UCF

What is Alt Text?

Alt text is an alternative (non-visual) way to describe the meaning of an image.

Alt text is read by screen readers allowing the content and function of the image to be accessible to those with visual or cognitive disabilities. It also helps students using slow computers or browsers that do not support display of the images since the alt text appears in place of the image.

Alt text should be used when the meaning of a graphic is not adequately described in the body of the text or a caption provided before or after the image. If you provide an explicit explanation of the content and function of the image in the text or in a caption, then that image does not need alt text.

Alt text is designed to convey the meaning of a photo and should be succinct. Therefore, there can be multiple ways to write alt text for a single image. It depends on what you want to convey to others by using the image.For example, the alt text for the following image of a dog can be portrayed in several ways depending on how and where the photo will be used:
image of dog wearing Elizabethan collar

  • For a veterinary class, the alt text might be: “A dog with an Elizabethan collar to prevent the irritation of wounds.”
  • For a photography class, the alt text might be: “A bird’s eye view photo of a dog.”
  • For a Color Theory class the text may read: “A photo of a dog with a red leash against pale red bricks.”
  • For a dog breeding class the text may read: “A photo of a rat terrier.”

Tips for Using Graphics

  • Include meaningful alternative text (alt text) or a caption that describes the context and the function of the image.
  • Use images only to enhance the understandability of the content (e.g., illustrate procedures, concepts, and processes).
  • Avoid using images that are purely decorative or distract from the main content.
  • Limit the size and number of graphics used while maintaining visual integrity.

Embedding Images in Webcourses@UCF

Take the following steps to add Images to a Page in Webcourses@UCF using the Rich Content Editor.

  1. Access your course and click on Pages.
  2. Click on View All Pages and select the one you’d like to edit.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. In the Rich Content Editor, click on the Embed Image button.
    image1
  5. Locate the image you want to embed. You can insert a website URL, select an image you’ve uploaded into your Canvas files, or an image from Flickr.
    image2
  6. Be sure to enter an Alt Text description that describes the image you are uploading.
  7. Click Update to add the image to the page.
  8. Click Save to save the changes you’ve made to the page.