💞 This week's #MercherMindful is @Cat_LeFey discussion on image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist: https://pagan.plus/@Cat_LeFey/109569597946233246

#AltText is incredibly helpful to a large number of our members for many reasons, including blindness and low vision, dyslexia, and simply processing context and meaning from your uploaded content.

If you'd like to be reminded when your uploads don't have a description, follow @PleaseCaption for a gentle reminder when you forget!

@nickmartin
@Cat_LeFey

Thank you. Cat post 10 #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist, but I cannot locate that post. Searching on that hashtag finds nothing.

Perhaps he can send you a link.

#altText

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist:

1. Any words are better than nothing.
2. You don't need to say it's "a picture of…" screen readers will already say it's an image.
3. Start with the framing or format (i.e. close up, landscape, meme, text).
4. Think about the reason you're posting the pic and describe that first, add background details if you have time.

@MeanwhileinCanada Alt text is a short description of the image. When you add an image it should say "no description" on it. If you tap that you can add text. It makes images accessible to blind and low vision folks. There's a great post on #CaptionTips with more guidance.

10 Image #CaptionTips from a transcriptionist: 1/3

1. Any words are better than nothing.
2. You don't need to say it's "a picture of…" screen readers will already say it's an image.
3. Start with the framing or format (i.e. close up, landscape, meme, text).
4. Think about the reason you're posting the pic and describe that first, add background details if you have time.

@Cat_LeFey First as a Blind user thanks for this list and the attention to #AltText #CaptionTips as you listed them.

I took a virtual stroll through the comments and as someone who actively uses a screen reader. N V D A as I am completely blind now. (My sight loss journey is too long to go into here. Haha.) ...Fellow Fiber artist by the way. Hey! I digress.

Can I add a few notes? For the inquiring minds that have asked below?

In regards to a few things...
All screen readers react differently to different textual commands. I know more robust screen readers such as JAWS are able to handle some commands better than an open source free reader such as N V D A. But, I choose N V D A because it does not cost out of pocket thousands of dollars and 90% of blind individuals are unemployed or more likely to be under / unemployed. Thereby living well bellow the poverty line.

Secondly screen readers can not as many assume, automatically read text or image information. I do know Apple and Google Lense on Android have both improved a lot recently in auto A I recognition. But, having a sighted spouse who will tell me that Apple says the photo I submitted was of a "Man on the Beach" when in fact it was my cat in my bed. Is not a substitute for human eyes.

I also wanted to add the addition of Camel Case Hash Tags such as this #CamelCaseHashTags as screen readers will read all lowercase words as one big word.

The life of a Blind / V I person through a screen reader on social media is very different than most imagine. I thank you for taking the tome to help make our loves that much easier with your inclusivity. It is greatly appreciated.

Thanks -Aaron 😺

Accessibility is a human and civil right. Inaccessibility is a choice.

Thought the tag for #CaptionTips said #CaptainTripps *diesss* Nope, don't need more of that! (COVID I mean. *dies again*)