Hey EarlG - would you consider making changes to encourage inclusiveness?

[Ms. Toad]

9. I'm asking that you take the steps on your end that would encourage users to provide a description.

Most people don't think about it - as is evident from requests from people who either can't hear (videos) - or can't see (images).

The way I'm familiar with it, it is integrally connected to the image being hosted. When you drag an image into the upload box, a box pops up requesting alt text (essentially an image description). So it is attached to the image at the time it is added.



Image Description: Two boxes, the left in shadow and partially hidden containing an add file box, the right a pop-up box requestis that the user choose to add alternative text (describing the image) or declare that the image is decrative.

As soon as I clicked "add" for the image, the box popped up, and I was prevented from continuing until I made a choice to add text - OR - to decline.

As for being onerous for people who post lots of images - think of the burden that currently falls on those using text readers when navigating this site - how much of the site is inaccessible to them? I don't know if you've run the site through accessibility checkers, but the absence of alternate text for images would likely make it fail.

DU is pretty much the only place I don't add image descriptions. When I'm teaching, all of the software automatically prompted me to add alternate text anytime I posted an image. On facebook, I have several low-vision friends who periodically nudge those of us prone to forget that not everyone can consume electronic media visually. So the fact that I'm not doing it here - when I am more aware of the problem than most - says a lot about the likelihood that people who aren't even aware of the problem will add image descriptions without prompting.

So no, I'm not suggesting that you force people to add text - just make it the default by prompting alternate text, so people have to remember that not everyone can see with their eyes. The "decorative" option, above gives them the option not to add text - but having an automatic pop-up box that requires you make an affirmative choice not to add text makes it likely that more of the site will be accessible, since I don't know of many people who see with their eyes who independently think to add text.