Alt text is a vital element of accessibility for people who use screen readers. When used correctly, GenAI platforms can be an effective support tool for writing high quality alt text.
Writing alt text, particularly for complicated or large volumes of images, can be time consuming and challenging. Using GenAI to automate parts of the process can make it easier and faster to generate alt text for your learning and teaching content, ensuring that your subject is accessible to those who rely on alt text.
Choosing the right GenAI platform and making your prompts (the questions and text that you provide to a chatbot) targeted and concise can also assist in generating higher quality alt text.
Using GenAI to write alt text carries the same limitations that any use of GenAI carries, particularly in regard to accuracy. These risks should always be considered when creating content, and can be reduced by making use of our suggested strategies for writing alt text with GenAI.
Using specific prompts is especially important for creating useful alt text. These prompts help to narrow down the options for the chatbot and craft a product that will fit your image and the purpose for it. Being specific and avoiding ambiguity as much as possible will help to make your AI-generated alt text successful. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Be specific: avoid generic prompts like “Describe the image.” Instead, provide context and specifics. For example, if the image shows a brain, you could prompt: “Describe a 3D model of a brain placed on a table”.
- Include contextual information: what’s happening in the image? Where is it? Who or what is in the picture? For instance: “Provide alt text for a group of people sitting around a conference table.”
- Include specific details: mention relevant details such as colours, shapes, and objects. For instance: “Describe an abacus with multicoloured beads.”
- Ensure alt text is meaningful: provide a clear, concise description that accurately conveys the content, enhancing accessibility and user understanding.
- Audience: should the alt text be formal or informal? For whom is the alt text intended? Adjust your language accordingly.
- Use examples: if the image contains multiple elements, give examples. For instance: “Describe a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, pine trees, and a winding river.”
- Always review alternative text generated by AI, as it may contain inaccuracies
The following are prompts that you could use, with appropriate contextual information added, to create alt text with a GenAI platform.
Artwork
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, knowledgeable about ADA and WCAG guidelines. Your task is to review artwork depicting [what the artwork shows] within the [context] and create detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that make the artwork accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should prioritise clarity and be concise, ideally under 100 characters. Focus on key elements, emotions, and context, without beginning with phrases like “[image / artwork of]”.
Bar graphs
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the bar graph which shows [provide a brief overview of what the bar graph is about]. Include the title and axis labels. You must craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Avoid describing visual attributes of the bars/lines (e.g. colours. Avoid starting with “image of” or “bar graph of”.
Cartoons
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the cartoon depicting [what the cartoon shows] in the [context] and craft concise, meaningful alternative descriptions that make the content accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should ideally be under 100 characters. Prioritise clarity, humor, and the main message in the description. Avoid starting with “Cartoon of” and focus on delivering the key action or punchline effectively.
Flowcharts
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the flowchart showing [provide a brief overview of what the flowchart is about and its purpose]. Include essential components or decision points. Craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “image of” or “flowchart showing”.
Infographics
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the infographic timeline showing [provide a brief overview of what the infographic is about and its purpose]. Include key information such as [provide examples]. Include and explain icons or symbols. Ensure to mention any visual cues (e.g. arrows, labels, colours) that impact understanding. Craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “image of” or “infographic of”.
Line graph
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the bar graph which shows [provide a brief overview of what the line graph is about]. Include the title and axis labels. You must craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Avoid describing visual attributes of the bars/lines (e.g. colours. Avoid starting with “image of” or “line graph of”.
Mind maps
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the mind map showing [provide a brief overview of what the mind map is about and its purpose]. Include the main topics or nodes within the mind map. Highlight any visual cues connections, relationships, or hierarchies depicted. Craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “image of” or “mind map of”.
Photos/Illustrations
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the [image / illustration] showing [what the image shows] in the [context] and craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should ideally be under 100 characters. Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “[image / photo / illustration] of”.
Pie charts
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the pie chart titled [provide the title of the pie chart if available]. This pie chart shows [provide a brief overview of what the pie chart is about]. Mention the segments and their proportions. Focus on the key insights and trends. You must craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should ideally be under 100 characters. Avoid describing visual attributes (e.g. colours). Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “pie chart of”.
Screenshots (e.g. images of text/tables)
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task is to review the screenshot/image showing [briefly describe the content: text, table, etc.] in the context of [specific context]. Craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative text descriptions to ensure the content is fully accessible to users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should be under 100 characters, prioritising clarity and organisation. Provide comprehensive information without starting with “[image / screenshot / table] of”.
Timelines
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the [type of timeline – historical, project schedule] timeline showing [provide a brief overview of what the timeline is about and its purpose. Include key dates, events and their significance. Ensure to mention any visual cues (e.g. arrows, labels, colours) that impact understanding. Craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Prioritise clarity, organisation, and comprehensive information in the descriptions. Avoid starting with “image of” or “timeline of”.
Venn diagrams
You are an expert in Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task will be to review the Venn diagram which shows plant and animal cells. Explain the relationships between the sets represented in the circles. You must craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Avoid describing visual attributes (e.g. colours). Avoid starting with “image of” or “Venn diagram of”.
X-rays
You are an expert Accessibility Checker, familiar with ADA & WCAG guidelines. Your task is to review the X-ray image showing [specific body part/area] in the [medical context] and craft detailed, accurate, and meaningful alternative descriptions that ensure the content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Descriptions should ideally be under 100 characters. Prioritise clarity, accuracy, and relevant medical details. Avoid starting with “[X-ray/image of].”
