Section 2.1: Defining Accessible Images, Part 4

Long descriptions

Sometimes ALT text is not enough. ALT text works well for simple images, graphical links, and image maps. But there are times when humanities Web sites use rich, complex images to convey rich, complex ideas and information. In these cases, ALT text by itself is too short to accomplish this important task. More description is needed than can fit in ALT text. In these cases extended descriptions or long descriptions are needed.

Long descriptions may either be included in the content of the page itself, or may be on a separate page linked to the page that displays the image. In many cases, the content expert needs to be the author of these descriptions. They may also need to determine if many users would benefit from these descriptions and where the longer description should be. For example, should the description be on the same page as the image? Or is there a reason to separate the image and description (for example, the description interferes with the image’s educational purpose, distracts from the image...)?

Long descriptions are beneficial because they allow for more detailed description of images. This information can be important for those who cannot see the image or for those who need the supplemental information to help them interpret the image.

This map from the Texas Archaeological Source Materials in the Digital Archive Services , UT-Austin, Liberal Arts ITS is more fully described by the text to the right of the image. This description and information about the image would need to be available to all users and offers necessary information that would be too long for ALT text.