ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) was included in web accessibility standards in 2014 with the release of ARIA 1.0 by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).
Our approach to crafting accessible alt text centres on delivering detailed and meaningful descriptions for images. The images must first be categorized into informative and decorative. To achieve this categorization once needs to understand the context.
Once the context is clear we also need to understand who the end user is. We would never go to lengths of providing a geographical description to the image of a globe if it’s meant for Kinder Garten students as flash cards for explaining letter ‘G’. The alternative text should be enough for users relying on screen readers or with visual impairments but not overly detailed as to lose the original context.
We steer clear of generic descriptions, emphasizing specificity, clarity, and relevance. This strategy aligns with WCAG 2.2 guidelines, fostering inclusivity by making visual content accessible to a broader audience. The aim of our alt text strategy is to enable users with disabilities to engage fully with our content, irrespective of their access method. Through informative and contextually relevant alt text, we bridge the gap between visual and non-visual experiences, fostering a more inclusive digital environment.