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

for

From: Robert Fentress
Date: Feb 13, 2016 1:02PM

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

I like the idea of asking the concerned people to provide a one
sentence description along with their picture (and perhaps a longer
description?). Basically, "How would you want your physical
appearance described, knowing the context?" It still might not be
equivalent access for blind people, if the person writing the
description neglects details that would be useful and apparent to
sighted users, but it sounds like the best compromise. . . if people
are willing to do it.

Regardless, I think it really raises some interesting questions about
identity, perceived and projected, the right to equivalent
information, and what filters are useful to us in navigating the
world.

-Rob

On Sat, Feb 13, 2016 at 12:00 PM, -Carol E -Wheeler
< <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> On February 13, 2016 at 11:33 AM Guy Hickling < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> wrote:
> So, sex first (most important!) Say in the alt text whether the photo
> subject is a man or a woman - it isn't always obvious from the name,
> but it is a most important piece of information if the blind user is
> planning to meet or even just contect them. A blind woman might not
> want to apply for a job where all her collegues would be men.
>
> You could be making some unfounded assumptions about a persons gender if you
> are only considering two options. Some names are intended to be non-binary.
> Some people dress to avoid binary assumptions about their gender.
>
>
> Carol E. Wheeler,
> Web Goddess and Musician
> ======================> Stephen Colbert: "What do you think happens after you die?"
> Jennifer Lawrence: "I think they give your hospital bed to someone else."
>
>
> > > > >



--
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