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Rethink Alt Text — Better Ways to Communicate Complex Graphics

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Scheduled at 3:00 pm in Penrose 2 on Wednesday, November 13.

#39642

Speaker(s)

  • Bevi Chagnon, Designer, Senior Accessibility Trainer, PubCom.com

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 2-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Now that we have an ISO standard specifically for text alternatives, it’s time to update our strategies for adding Alt Text to graphics, especially info graphics and complex charts for for STEM subjects.

There are other options that can communicate better to all users.

We’ll review ISO/IEC 20071-11:2019 and show its practical use for the graphics in your documents: logos, photographs, illustrations, statistical charts, info graphics, and more.

Abstract

The new ISO standard for Text Alternatives for graphics gives clearer details than we’ve had before in the industry.

This session gives practical suggestions that help communicate ideas that go beyond the outdated accessibility legends like “Alt Text should be 5 syllables maximum.”

“Text Alternatives” is more than just traditional Alt Text: it also includes body text, captions, extended Alt Text XMP, and matching data tables that help provide useful information to all users, not just those using formal screen readers.

This session will review the different techniques and their strengths for communicating complex graphics, and help guide you to choose the right combo of techniques for your publication, website, or media.

Includes an annotated copy of the new standard.

Keypoints

  1. The new ISO/IEC 20071-11:2019 standard for Text Alternatives clarifies and streamlines the task.
  2. One of the most difficult and controversial tasks is writing alternative descriptions for complex graphics.
  3. Better methods for text alternatives can improve the experience for all users, as well as screen reader users.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Other, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Bevi Chagnon

Bevi Chagnon has been active in the standards community for 25 years, and currently is a US Delegate to the ISO committees for PDF and PDF/UA. With a long career in publishing, she’s an expert for Adobe InDesign, Acrobat, MS Office, and accessibility. She’s a professional educator, award-winning designer, and former faculty member at Washington DC-area colleges/universities. Bevi is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and a contributor on many forums, including the Adobe Community Forums where she is an invited Community Expert.

Media

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