1. Accessibility issues: Images and the use of ALT Text
Screen reader users, such as the visually impaired, rely upon ALT text for a textual representation of an image that they may not be able to see. If the image adds value or meaning to the resource adding ALT text enables a screen reader user to interact with the resource in the same way as everyone else
An image without ALT text
Image with ALT text
(Screen reader may announce picture or ignore image without ALT text)
(Screen reader reads ALT text)
Click on loudspeaker image for slide read by screen reader JAWS
Note: The eLearning Team banner is an image with ALT text. This gets read out by JAWS. The footer image does not have ALT text associated with it.

2. Accessibility issues – Long Description for Complex Images
For complex images a Long Description describing the key features that the image is trying to convey must be included as well as a brief ALT Tag
Click for Long Description file

3. Accessibility issues – How to add ALT text
In MS Word and PowerPoint
1) Right click on image
3) Select: ALT Text
4) Type ALT Text in Description box
2) Select: Format Picture
For instructions for all versions of MS Word see:

4. Accessibility issues – How to add ALT text in MyAberdeen
In MyAberdeen, using the content editor:
Add Alt Text to the Image Description box that appears when adding an image
Leave the Title box empty
For further advice contact

5. Accessibility issues – How to add a Long Description
In MyAberdeen: Add as an attached file entitled ‘Long Desc_...’
Attached file: Word or PDF file for Long Description

6. Accessibility issues – How to add a Long Description
In MS Office documents:
Add the ALT Text to the Title box
Add the Long Description to the Description box, normally used for the ALT Text
Alternatively link the Long Description to another section of the document or to an appendix

7. Accessibility issues – Appropriate ALT Text
In cases where an image adds no value to a learning resource, and is included merely for visual effect, good etiquette requires an author to insert “” (double parenthesis) in the Alt text field (apart from in PowerPoint where doing this is counterproductive and the ALT text field should be left blank) . If the ALT text field is left blank most screen readers will announce “picture” and the user will be left wondering whether or not the image was important. On detecting “” most screen readers will skip past the item (apart from in PowerPoint where the screen reader would read double parenthesis...)
Advice on the appropriate use of ALT text can be found at

8. Accessibility issues – ALT text and Images
Links :
University of Aberdeen’s eLearning Team accessibility guide:
Alternative Text in context:
WebAim’s Microsoft Word Accessibility article (including the use of ALT text):
Creating accessible PowerPoint files:
Add alternative text to a shape, picture, chart, table etc in MS Office: