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Re: Race, Gender, and Other Categories in Alt Text for Headshots

for

From: Paul J. Adam
Date: Feb 12, 2016 8:56AM

I do think screen readers should have access to the <img> elements used as people's headshot image. If you set alt="" then you can't navigate to the image with a screen reader and won't know it's present.

alt="Head Shot of John Smith" sounds good to me! I use alt="Paul's Headshot" on my website :)

alt="Photo of John Smith" sounds good also. My thoughts are that if a blind user would like a more detailed description of the person's appearance then they'd have to ask a friend "What does John Smith look like based on this image I pulled off the accessible employee directory page?" :)

Paul J. Adam
Accessibility Evangelist
www.deque.com

> On Feb 12, 2016, at 9:43 AM, Robert Fentress < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> So, I've got a bio page for the people working in a department, and it
> includes a head shot photo of the employee. How do I handle alt text
> in this instance?
>
> My first instinct is to null it out, since the person's name is right
> beside the image, it is almost fluff, and I don't know that someone
> using a screen reader would want the extra noise of saying something
> like "Head Shot of John Smith". Then, I think more about it and
> wonder if I'm assuming too much.
>
> First, I shouldn't assume only blind people would be using the alt
> text. For instance, someone who is not blind may be using Lynx or
> something. The information could possibly also be useful as metadata.
>
> Second, perhaps a blind person would want to know what this person
> looked like. Why would people come to a page like this? Well, one
> scenario is they are going to meet with someone and want to know what
> they look like so they can identify them in a group. There are
> others, but that is one. So the person may come to a public place
> armed with this info and ask a bystander if they recognize someone in
> the crowd who looks like "thus and so."
>
> So, how do you describe someone in that instance? Well, here comes
> the tricky bit. What shortcuts or categories do we use to describe
> people? Often, we might mention someone's *perceived* gender, and,
> perhaps, if we are less sensitive, their age, race, or ethnicity. I
> assume the last three, at least, are off limits. Indeed, legally, I
> think, in my context, even describing someone using any of these
> categories might be forbidden in official communications.
>
> So what *do* you say? What are relevant and useful descriptors that
> would be permitted?
>
> Or am I overthinking things?
>
> Best,
> Rob
>
> --
> Robert Fentress
> Senior Accessibility Solutions Designer
> 540.231.1255
>
> Technology-enhanced Learning & Online Strategies
> Assistive Technologies
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> 620 Drillfield Drive (0434)
> Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
> > > >