WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

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

for

From: Maxability Accessibility for all
Date: Feb 14, 2016 7:23PM

Hey Rob,

A similar discussion I have put before the experts couple of years back and
below is the link to the thread.
http://webaim.org/discussion/mail_thread?threadd41

Thanks & Regards
Rakesh
www.maxability.co.in

On Sun, Feb 14, 2016 at 1:32 AM, Robert Fentress < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> 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
> 1180 Torgersen Hall
> 620 Drillfield Drive (0434)
> Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
> > > > >