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Re: Alt text in Word 2016: Indicate null image & which box to type in

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From: Moore,Michael (Accessibility) (HHSC)
Date: Jan 19, 2017 7:50AM

The behavior that I get with Word 2013 and JAWS 17, admittedly a little out of date, is somewhat bizarre.

My test document has three images. All images are placed in-line with the text

1. Picture with title and description
2. Picture with title only
3. Picture with description only

1. In edit mode reading by line nothing is announced for any of images JAWS just says blank.
2. In edit mode reading by word the title is announced if it is present.
3. In edit mode reading by character the title is announced if present. If only the description is present the description is read and the first word of the description is announced in the voice used for the title.
4. In edit mode reading using say all. Both the title and description are read and JAWS tells you which is the title and an which is the description unless only a description is present. In this case JAWS just reads the description. Also in this mode the title and description are read twice for each image and the size of the image is announced.
5. In quick keys mode reading by paragraph. JAWS will only announce the title and ignores the description. Thus if only a description is present JAWS will announce "blank" for the image.
6. In quick keys mode reading by graphic. JAWS will only announce the description and ignores the title. Thus if only a title is present JAWS will only tell you that a picture is present.

JAWS Keys used for reference:

In edit mode - moving forward through the document
Reading by line use the down arrow
Reading by word use control+left arrow
Reading by character use left arrow
Reading say all go to the top of the page control+home then insert+down arrow.

To get to quick keys mode use insert+z
Reading by paragraph use the p key
Reading by graphic use the g key

I am not sure what all of this means in terms of what to recommend a best practice for graphics is word documents. Just that life as a JAWS user can be interesting. If the document is to be converted to PDF or HTML for publication use the description field. This will save you from having to enter the alt text again. If you all collaborating on the document with a screen reader user (JAWS or other) I would ask them how they would prefer the graphics to be labelled.

Mike Moore
EIR (Electronic Information Resources) Accessibility Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Office
(512) 438-3431 (Office)

Making electronic information and services accessible to people with disabilities is everyone's job. I am here to help.