With me being Visually Impaired, Alt Text is obviously extremely important to me, as it helps me to see what’s in all of the different Pictures that people post. Well after seeing quite a lot of websites and people not using it correctly, I thought that I would give you a little crash course in exactly what it is and how to use it properly.

What is Alt Text?

Alt Text is a piece of code that has been embedded into a Picture that describes the Picture to anyone who uses a Screen Reader. It can also increase the SEO, Search Engine Optimisation of a post which is why people, especially Content Creators, get confused about what it actually is.

Why is it important that I use Alt Text in my Pictures?

If you upload a Picture to a website or your Social Media account and don’t add Alt Text to your Pictures, people like me who are Visually Impaired have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. The best way that I can explain it is with the following sentence. My Dog Riley has really fluffy fur and loves to lay in front of the Fire. Now imagine that I took every other word out so it read, My Riley really fur loves sit front Fire. It makes no sense and you are missing out on the point that i’m trying to make.

How do I add Alt Text to my Pictures.

There are many different ways in which you can add Alt Text to a Picture, but i’m going to focus on the six main ones, WordPress, Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads, as they’re generally the Platforms that everyone uses.

WordPress.

1. Go to your Media Library and click on Upload An Image and then select the Picture that you want to upload.
2. Once your Picture has been uploaded it will load an Image Information Panel where you can edit your Picture, add a Caption, add a description, and even delete your Picture.
3. In the Alt Text Box at the top of the Image Information Panel type a description of your Picture and make sure to be as descriptive as possible. Don’t worry, unless you’re using a Screen Reader, you won’t be able to see anything.
4. Once you’ve finished writing your description, click Save, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.

Blogger.

1. Whilst you’re writing a Post click on add an Image, then click on upload an Image and select the Picture that you want to upload.
2. Once your Picture has uploaded it will load an Image Properties Panel where you can edit your Picture, add a Caption, and even delete your Picture.
3. In the Alt Text Box at the top of the Image Properties Panel type a description of your Picture and make sure to be as descriptive as possible. Don’t worry, unless you’re using a Screen Reader, you won’t be able to see anything.
4. Once you’ve written your description click Save, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.

Facebook.

1. tap on Create A Photo Post at the top of the Screen, select the Picture that you want to upload and then tap Done.
2. Fill out the rest of your Post, including adding a Frame, any Text that you want in your Post, tags, location, feeling or activity, and tap Post.
3. Once your Picture has been posted to your Timeline, tap the More Button, which will either be in the top right hand corner of the Screen or underneath your Post depending on what kind of Device you’re using, and scroll down until you see Edit Alt Text.
4. tap Edit Alt Text and it will load the Edit Alt Text Panel, then tap Override Generated Alt Text and type your description in the Text Box that appears.
5. Once you’ve written your description tap Save, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.
Unfortunately Facebook only allows you to use up to 100 characters to describe your Photo so you’ll have to be pretty brief, but something is better than nothing.

Twitter.

1. tap on Compose Tweet in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, and then tap the Photo Library Button in the bottom right hand corner of the Screen, select the Picture that you want to upload and then tap Add in the top right Hand corner of the Screen.
2. Once it’s added it to your Tweet, next to the Picture you’ve uploaded you will see a Menu where you can delete your Picture, add a description to your Picture, Edit your Picture, Tag anyone who is in your Picture, and even add a location to your Picture. tap Add a description to this Photo and type your description into the Text Box that appears.
3. Once you’ve written your description tap done in the top right Hand corner of the screen, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.
4. Finish writing the rest of your Tweet, including any Text that you want to post along with your Picture and tap Tweet in the top right Hand corner of the screen.

Instagram.

Yes, even though Instagram is primarily a Picture based platform, Blind and Visually Impaired people do use it.
1. Tap on the Camera in the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen, select the Picture that you want to upload and then tap Next in the top right Hand corner of the screen.
2. Choose any Filters that you want to add to your Picture, including Claren, Lark, Gingham, Slumber or Mayfair, and tap Next in the top right Hand corner of the Screen.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Screen and tap Advanced Settings and then scroll down until you find Accessibility.
4. Underneath the Accessibility heading, tap Write Alt Text and fill out the Text Box that appears.
5. Once you’ve written your description tap done in the top Right hand corner of the screen, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.
6. You will then be redirected to the Advanced Settings Screen where you can tap Back in the top left Hand corner of the Screen to return to the Post Information Panel.
7. Fill out the rest of your Post, including adding your Caption, tagging People, and adding a location, and then tap Post in the top right Hand corner of the Screen.
If you forget to add Alt Text when you’re creating your Post, don’t worry as you can always add it once you’ve uploaded your Picture.
1. tap the Profile Icon in the bottom right Hand corner of the Screen and tap the Picture that you would like to add Alt Text to.
2. Tap on the More Options Button in the top left Hand corner of the Screen and then tap Edit in the Menu that appears.
3. In the Panel that appears tap Edit Alt Text and type your description in the Text Box that appears.
4. Once you’ve finished writing your description tap Done in the top right Hand corner of the Screen, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.
5. It will then redirect you to the Post Information Panel where you can edit your Caption, tag anyone that you forgot to tag, and add a location. tap Done in the top right Hand corner of the Screen and it will save all of your changes.

Threads.

1. Tap on Create New Post in the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen, and then tap on Attach a Photo in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
2. Choose your Picture and tap on Add in the top right hand corner of the screen.
3. Once you’ve added your Picture, tap the Alt Button next to your Picture and type your description into the Text Box that appears, tap done in the top right hand corner of the screen, and you’ve successfully added Alt Text to your Picture.

4. Finish writing the rest of your Thread, including any Text that you want to post along with your Picture and tap Post in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.

How do I write the perfect description for my Pictures?

It’s really simple, all you have to do is be as descriptive as possible, so include things like shapes, colours, what any writing in the Picture says, facial features and what someone is doing. For example, the Alt Text for the picture above is, Me stood on some Grey Stone Paving in front of a large rectangular Window wearing a medium Green Jacket, a bright Blue Jumper, a pair of Black Trousers and a pair of Black Leather Boots holding a long Red Cane, on a light background.

I really hope that this has helped you to understand what Alt Text is and how to use it properly, but Please remember that even though that you’ve added Alt Text to your Pictures, unless you’re using a Screen Reader you wont see it.

Do you use Alt Text in your Pictures? Did you find this helpful? If not, do you have any other questions about Alt Text and how to use it properly? Please let me know down below.

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Luke x

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