Adding accessible images to your LEARN course

Alternative text (alt text) is text that is used in place of non-text content for those using assistive technology (e.g. a screen reader) to describe the purpose and/or content of the image. To ensure Accessibility standards are being met, alt text is required on any image added to LEARN using the HTML Editor (web pages, announcements, discussions, etc.).

This article describes how to add a new image or edit an existing image within your LEARN course content along with the required Alternative Text (alt text) to accompany the image.

These instructions can be used anywhere where the LEARN editor is available.

For information on how to construct effective alt texts, see How to Compose Alt Tags – A Guide For Course Authors.

Step-by-Step instructions:

Adding a new image

 

  1. With your cursor placed where you would like the image added, click Insert Image.

    The following screen will appear:

     

  2. You have a number of options to add the image.

    1. To add an image from your device, click My Computer.

      1. Upload the image by dragging the image onto the LEARN window, or by clicking Upload and choosing the file from your device.

      2. Once completely uploaded, click Add

    2. To add an image already in the course, click Course Offering Files.

      1. Navigate to and click the checkbox beside the desired image.

      2. Click Add

  3. You will then be asked to provide the alt text. An option exists to identify the image as decorative. Please note that if you identify the image as decorative, the image will be ignored by most screen readers, and the alt text will not be read.

     

  4. Once your alt text is complete, click OK.

Editing an existing image

  1. Click on the image you wish to edit and choose Image options.

     

  2. On the screen that appears, change the text in the Alternative description field to edit the alt text.

     

  3. Once the edits to the alt text have been made, click Save.

Need help?

Contact LEARNhelp at learnhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 41744 for assistance.

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