This page provides initial guidance on using images and diagrams in ways that align with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will be updated with more detailed information as recommendations from the Course Content Accessibility Action Team become available.
Determining if an image is decorative or requires “alt text”
The first step to making images accessible for people who cannot see them is to determine whether the images need alternative text, known as “alt text,” or can be marked as “decorative.”
Decorative images
If the image is simply used for visual appeal, it can be marked as “decorative.”
Note: Marking important images as decorative to avoid having to create alt text is a discriminatory practice.
Alt text
If the image is necessary for understanding, it requires alternative text (alt text). Alt text helps people who are unable to see images understand the meaning of your image and its relevance to your content.
Note: If interpreting an image is part of a student task or assignment and providing a description of the image would give away the answer, simply add minimal alt text that does not override the goal of the assignment.
Marking images as “decorative”
- Open your Canvas page, discussion, quiz, or assignment that contains the image you want to mark as decorative.
- Select the “Edit” button.
- Select the image you wish to mark as decorative.
- Select the “Image Options” icon that appears.
- Select the “Decorative Image” checkbox.
- Select the “Done” button to save your changes.
- Select “Save” to save the entire page.
- Click on the image. This will open a “Picture Format” or “Format Picture” menu at the top of your document.
- Select the “Alt Text” option.
- Select the box: “Mark as decorative”
If text is not entered into the Alt text box on your Google file, the image is saved as default as decorative. Google does not provide an option to mark the image as decorative and will not be read by a screen reader.
Adding “alt text” to images
Alt text should concisely (~10-15 words max) describe the image, as well as communicate its relevance to your topic. When creating alt text, avoid jargon, unnecessary details, file names or URLs, and phrases like “image of” or “picture of.” (Explore examples of helpful alt text.)
- Open the Canvas page, discussion, quiz, or assignment that contains the image you want to add alt text to.
- Select the “Edit” button.
- Select the image you want to add alt text to.
- Select the “Image Options” icon that appears.
- Type your description into the “Alt Text” field.
- Select the “Done” button to save your changes.
- Select “Save” to save the entire page.
- Click on the image. This will open a “Picture Format” or “Format Picture” menu at the top of your document.
- Select the “Alt Text” option.
- In the Alt Text box, type your description of the image.
- After you have added your image to your Google file, right click on the file to bring up a menu for the photo.
- Choose the Alt text logo. A Format Options list will appear on the right hand side of the screen.
- Locate Alt Text in the list and type your description of the image.
- When finished, select the X on the top right and close the Format Options list. The Alt text will be saved automatically.
Making figures and complex images accessible
Many disciplines rely on complex images or figures to explain concepts or visualize data or processes (e.g., historical maps, physical phenomena). These images may require instructors to develop more detailed alt text.
- Guidance for describing figures, charts, and graphs
- Guidance for describing complex images. Although this resource focuses on science content, the guidance is also applicable to complex images used in non-STEM contexts.
If you have specific issues related to digital images or diagrams that are not addressed by the links above, consult the Accessible Technologies website.