Twitter accessibility improved as image descriptions made more obvious for disabled people
Social media giant Twitter has rolled out the ability to add image descriptions globally, also known as alternative text (ALT), on photos uploaded to the platform to provide additional, key information to disabled people.
This accessibility feature rollout is designed to give people with disabilities a better experience on Twitter. For people who are blind, visually impaired, or use assistive technologies, the image descriptions will ensure these individuals know exactly what the images are about.
Without alternative text, disabled people often cannot engage with people’s Tweets. The image descriptions feature is designed to give people with vision impairments a similar experience on Twitter as those who are not visually impaired.
When uploading a photo, people now have the option to “add a description”. Then, they can write a description with 1,000 characters available.
In the example Twitter provides on its step-by-step tutorial for adding alternative text, a description is generated for a cup of coffee. The description is very literal and describes the image exactly so that people with vision impairments know what image is accompanying the Tweet, and how they relate to one another.
After saving the image description, those who want to view the alternative text select the “ALT” badge.
To view Twitter’s guide on providing image descriptions, click here.
Twitter says that the improvements have now rolled out to all Twitter users, across the web, iOS, and Android.
https://thiis.co.uk/twitter-accessibility-improved-as-image-descriptions-made-more-obvious-for-disabled-people/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FNa8hAaXIAY8E6A.0.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FNa8hAaXIAY8E6A.0-150x150.jpgNewsroomReports & ResearchSector NewsAccessibility,descriptions,disabled,feature,image,TwitterSocial media giant Twitter has rolled out the ability to add image descriptions globally, also known as alternative text (ALT), on photos uploaded to the platform to provide additional, key information to disabled people. This accessibility feature rollout is designed to give people with disabilities a better experience on Twitter....Liane McIvorLiane McIvorliane@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine