Accessibility and Alt Text

Alt text is required for all images and ensures accessibility for users who cannot view them. Write concise, descriptive alt text that conveys the image's purpose or context.

For decorative images, leave the alt text field blank so screen readers can skip them.

For an introduction to creating accessible content, visit the Accessibility: Alt Tags training module from the Introduction to Web Stewardship course.

Examples of Alt Text

  • Bad: "Students."  
  • Good: "Three students studying at a table in Cornell's library, with laptops and notebooks."  

Why ALT Text Matters

ALT text isn’t just for screen readers—it also helps search engines understand what the image shows. Since search engines can’t “see” images, they rely on ALT tags to interpret them. This is a great chance to include relevant keywords naturally, which can help boost your page’s visibility in search results.

💡 Tip: Describe the image clearly and briefly. Avoid phrases like “image of” or “picture of”—just say what it is.

Stock Photography Alt Text

If you're using a purchased stock photo, it may already include a descriptive caption in its metadata. This caption often shows up in the image's Caption field in WordPress. You can usually copy that text and paste it into the Alt Text field to save time—just make sure it accurately describes the image and fits the context of your page.

Remember: Alt text should describe the image’s content while supporting the page’s purpose.

Using A.I. for Alternative Text

ADA Title II regulations emphasize the importance of providing effective communication and ensuring that web content is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Relying solely on automated tools without human oversight may not meet these requirements.

AI tools like CoPilot or ChatGPT can assist in generating ALT text, but they aren't always reliable for ensuring accessibility compliance. They may overlook essential details or misinterpret the image's purpose. According to accessibility experts, you should always review and edit any AI-generated ALT text to ensure it's accurate, meaningful, and adheres to accessibility standards. When in doubt, it's often more effective to write the ALT text yourself. For more detailed information, you can refer to the ADA Title II regulations on effective communication.


Captions

Informative captions, where necessary, to provide additional context.