Mason prides itself on its dedication to inclusivity. Each Mason web editor is required to support digital inclusion at Mason. Remember to add alt text to every image you upload.
What is Alt Text and Why is Alt Text Important?
Also known as an alt attribute, alt description, or an alt tag, alt text is a written description of an image placed on the web. Images ‘narrated’ by expressively written alt text provide an accessible, robust experience for screen reader users.
Screen readers are used by people who are blind, have low vision, communication, or developmental impairments. An image without alt text renders the image invisible to anyone using a screen reader, or text-only browsers. Alt text ensures that all site visitors have access to image content.
As a publically-funded institution, George Mason University is required to meet WCAG 2.0 web accessibility standards. Adding alt text to images is a low-effort way to meet the WCAG 2.0 images description requirement, as well as support Mason's dedication to inclusivity.
Mason’s ATI (Assistive Technology Initiative) office monitors Mason’s sites for Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliance - including the use of image alt text. ATI’s website lists information, resources, and tools to help web content editors keep their content accessible to everyone, regardless of their sight, hearing, or mobility status.
Write Excellent Alt Text, Boost Page SEO
Did you know that search engines deprioritize pages without alt text on images? If your images don't have alt text, your page will rank lower than a page with alt text on its images. Please read these excellent articles on how to correctly write alt text:
How to Add Alt Text to an Embedded Image within a Text Block