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

for

From: Kevin Prince
Date: Feb 18, 2016 7:33PM

I used to be in the null camp but moved when it was explained, by a blind friend, that knowledge there is a photo is useful for exactly the reason noted - they are trying to find a person at a meeting, at the airport etc.

There is also the case where the ethnicity/age/appearance is part of the message. I was working on a women's health website and all the case studies had been carefully chosen to show Maori or Pacifica women as they were over represented in the statistics for the wrong reason. The message was, not only what was written, but that also it mattered to Maori and Pacifica women too. If you ddn't put that in the alt text aren't you doing a disservice?

kev
Access1in5
0212220638
039290692
Independent Accessibility and IT Consultancy.



> On 15/02/2016, at 15:23, Maxability Accessibility for all < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> 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
>> >> >> >> >>
> > > >