Alternative text (alt text) is a brief, descriptive text that conveys the content and purpose of an image. It is essential for making images accessible to students who use screen readers or need visual accommodations. Alt text ensures that all students can understand the meaning of visual content, regardless of their ability to see the image. Adding alt text is a simple yet crucial step in creating an inclusive learning environment. You can add an alt text when you embed an image for the first time or you can add one to an image already on the page.
The instructions below will guide you through the process of adding alt text to images in Canvas.
General Considerations
- Write a short, clear description of its content and purpose. Learn more about alt text composition through WebAIM's article Alternative Text.
- If the image is decorative and conveys no essential meaning, mark it as 'decorative' to avoid unnecessary distractions.
- Use high-quality, properly sized images to ensure clarity without pixelation.
- Avoid text within images whenever possible; if necessary, provide the same information in alt text or the surrounding content.
- Ensure diagrams, charts, and complex visuals are supplemented with detailed explanations in text or linked descriptions.
Click Edit on any page, assignment, discussion, quiz, or other Canvas item that offers the Edit button or pencil icon (for example, with individual quiz questions) to open the Rich Content Editor (RCE).
Adding Alt Text to a Newly Uploaded Image
To add an alt text when embedding an image for the first time, click the image button in the RCE's tool ribbon and click Upload Image.
Once you have chosen the image from your computer, you will see the image options screen, allowing you to add an alt text or mark the image as decorative (see the checkbox immediately below the alt text box. After defining the attributes, click Submit in the lower-right corner. Be sure to click Save on the main page you are editing to save all changes to the page.
Adding Alt Text to an Already Embedded Image
To add an alt text to an image already embedded on the page, simply click on the image one time to reveal the image options button.
Clicking this button will pop out the image options side panel on the right side of the page, and you can use this panel to (A) add an alt text or mark the image as decorative, plus you can (B) make other adjustments to the image's size. Click Done in the image options panel when finished, and be sure to click Save on the main page you are editing to save all changes to the page.