MKFNov 20, 2022
MiriPiri
I’m feeling concerned that many of us have recently joined #Mastodon and that the long term visually impaired community are now inundated with beautiful photos with no #alttext to describe the photo. Only about 1 in 5 Toots describe photos on my timeline. We all need to curb our enthusiasm to share undescribed photos and embrace our descriptive writing. I’m not on my high horse just concerned that we’ve arrived en masse and need to do our very best to embrace #MastodonCulture.
Nov 20, 2022 at 6:28amWeb
Show threadMichael CartyNov 20, 2022

@miripiri Very well said.

I have been particularly impressed with the way that #Mastodon seems to go out of its way to make it easy to add #AltText.

When you go to add an image, there is a nice alt text prompt... AND they gift you 1,500 characters to describe the image.

#FediTips

Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@MJCarty I agree which is why I think we should all embrace it. I’m not confident in descriptive writing or writing anything in the public domain, I never did Twitter, but I’m going to do my best.
Show threadMichael CartyNov 20, 2022

@miripiri It's a new discipline to me, too - but I am enjoying it so far! I try to put in a little message of gratitude to people who have taken the time to access the alt text, too.

How is your Sunday treating you?

Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@MJCarty I took my friend’s pony and donkey for a walk. Sunday has been good to me. How about you?
Show threadMichael CartyNov 20, 2022

@miripiri Wow, what a terrific picture! I trust a good walk was had by all?

We have had the builders in all week (including yesterday)... so it has just been lovely to have the chance to rest and unwind in perfect peace and quiet today, before they return tomorrow!

Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@MJCarty Quiet is a beautiful thing❤️
Show threadJoseph KatzNov 20, 2022
@miripiri @MJCarty okay, I guess my descriptions have been slightly underwhelming. I'll try to do better.
Show threadKeep Yourself WarmNov 20, 2022
@miripiri it's also not obvious as to how to do it, at least on tusky app, you don't get a prompt, you've gotta press the A on the pic or video yer sending
Show threadKeep Yourself WarmNov 20, 2022
@miripiri I don't want to big up the bird site, but everytime you posted a pic it'd ask you to alt deccribe it
Show threadKeep Yourself WarmNov 20, 2022
@miripiri *describe
Show threadCary GraceNov 20, 2022
@tamski @miripiri I’m using an app called Metatext, and it puts a little blip over the image that says “uncaptioned” to remind you. Very helpful!
Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@carygrace @tamski That’s what I use too.
Show threadCary GraceNov 20, 2022
@tamski @miripiri I downloaded a few different ones to try when I first signed up, including the “official” one (which I didn’t get on with at all). Liked Metatext best by far.
Show threadKeep Yourself WarmNov 20, 2022
@miripiri a lot of people won't notice that unless they're looking for it
Show threadstef henryNov 20, 2022
@miripiri It's interesting you say that, because I went through the process of adding alt text to my photos and I don't see it after I posted them. I'm not sure how to get it to show up?
Show threadBodhipaksaNov 20, 2022
@stefferology @miripiri Alt text isn't meant to be seen. However, on the web, you can see it by hovering over the image. On some but not all apps you can see it if you tap on the photo.
Show threadstef henryNov 20, 2022
@bodhipaksa @miripiri Good to know, thank you!
Show threadChaz BrenchleyNov 20, 2022
@stefferology @miripiri - let your finger linger on the photo, and you should see all the Metadata displayed, inc alt text.
Show threadstef henryNov 21, 2022
@ChazBrenchley @miripiri thanks that’s good to know! 
Show threadSiobhan SheridanNov 20, 2022
@miripiri Thank you! What a great reminder! I am trying to remember to do this, and actually enjoy the challenge of trying to describe the image too! Have a lovely day!
Show threadSpokes(wo)manNov 20, 2022
@miripiri absolutely - so conscious of this now that I don't even want to reboost images without Alt Text, no matter how fab the images are. Sometimes I give in, but often I don't.
Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@Spokeswoman I’m thinking of doing the same as you. I toyed with the idea of boosting photos I like and then putting a description in the comments, but feel it’s the OP’s responsibility to #AltText not me.
Show threadSpokes(wo)manNov 20, 2022
@miripiri yep, i’ve thought about that too but we can’t sit here doing everyone’s homework for them ! I try & boost @PleaseCaption Which reminds you to add the alt text whenever you post an image, and that’s as far as I’m willing to go at this stage :) but yeah I won’t say I won’t ever be tempted in future ! 
Show threadMr. Pataphor, Dadaist DadNov 23, 2022
@miripiri @Spokeswoman This marker is used to ask for help, if you have trouble describing your image.  
Many visual dominant folks find it difficult to put into words their composition. 🙂
* Only .01% of Twitter images have Alt Text.
Show threadSpokes(wo)manNov 23, 2022
@JPK_elmediat thank you - that's really helpful to know @miripiri
Show threadMr. Pataphor, Dadaist DadNov 23, 2022
@Spokeswoman @miripiri Our curator pointed that one out to us. 🙂
I've recently pinned a post with links to: 1. The Codes and Conventions of the #Medium of #Photography.
2. Reading #Photographs ~ questions that guide reader through the process of #analysis of a photograph.
These can be useful in composing #AltText.
Show threadNom_de_plumeNov 22, 2022
@Spokeswoman @miripiri how do you tell if it’s there or not? I’m a neophyte, and I’ve looked but haven’t found anything. Of course, that might mean there isn’t any text ☹️
Show threadMiriPiriNov 22, 2022
@nom_de_plume @Spokeswoman If you tap the photo the text should appear at the bottom.
Show threadStardustNov 20, 2022
@miripiri Thank you! I am trying to remember to do this and forgot in my last post, so I edited it. I appreciate the reminder.
Show threadCatherine BrownNov 20, 2022
@miripiri I agree we should describe our pictures and I am doing it - it’s a great facility that mastodon offers us to be more inclusive. I also think we newcomers should learn about mastodon, embrace the great things about it (like this) and try and understand the reasons for things we don’t immediately love. But I’m a bit worried about the exhortations to “fit in” which I see quite a lot of. I wouldn’t tell someone who moved in to my neighbourhood to fit in??
Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@Catherineb201 I totally agree, but I haven’t felt worried about expectations to fit in. I feel like people having been giving friendly positive advice that makes me want to fit in.
Show threadCatherine BrownNov 20, 2022
@miripiri yes, me too appreciating the lovely help, just noticing quite a lot of “fit in” pressure and self pressure too. I’m sure we can get the best of both fitting in and being different :)
Show threadjprestonianNov 20, 2022
@miripiri I vow to always use alt text, as best I can.
Show threadjprestonianNov 20, 2022
@miripiri I reached for my tablet on the bed upon awakening, intending to start another episode of "The Expanse," and I must have turned on descriptive text for visual impairments. It's an interesting thing to listen to. #TheExpanse
Show threadMichał "phoe" HerdaNov 20, 2022

@miripiri One thing I found very useful is that the glitchsoc fork of Mastodon can be configured to warn before composing or boosting a message with an image but no alt text.

Very handy for when I forget to write it and useful for picking what I want to boost!

See the screenshot examples from Functional Cafe.

Show threadRuarí ØdegaardNov 20, 2022
@miripiri Thanks for writing this!
Show threadPaul Wilde  :dontpanic_nobg:Nov 20, 2022
@ruario @miripiri people can follow @PleaseCaption or @alt_text to get a friendly nagging if/when they forget to add alt text
it's a great way of training yourself to do it every time
Show threadgmg Nov 20, 2022
@miripiri
I wish there was a to add one in the picture after you posted the picture.
I've only forgot a couple of times, but couldn't fix it since I'd already posted (unless I'm missing how to add alt text after the fact on the web view)
Show threadBodhipaksaNov 20, 2022

@miripiri It's a good practice not to forward photos that have no alt text, and to encourage others to do likewise.

I usually write a note encouraging alt text use to three or four users a day, and so far the response has always been positive.

Show threadPaddywack41Nov 20, 2022
@miripiri very good point that I am guilty off. I’ll rember to do better in future.
Show threadMike BeganyiNov 20, 2022

@miripiri @andyburke

Please also consider your screen name. I just tried my iOS voice over on some people showing up in my feed, your user name reads as ‘Miri Piri Woman Farmer Dog Turtle Mountain … and so on’. From what I’ve been told liberal use of emoji in names / screen names are cumbersome.

Show threadJosh Liebster final_FINAL.pptxNov 20, 2022
@mikebeganyi @miripiri @andyburke Use a client other than the official one and follow @PleaseCaption which will remind you when you’ve forgotten.
Show threadMike BeganyiNov 20, 2022
@jlobster @miripiri @andyburke @PleaseCaption - my client also does this, but I don’t need the reminder. Always add it…
Show threadJosh Liebster final_FINAL.pptxNov 20, 2022
@mikebeganyi @miripiri @andyburke @PleaseCaption That's awesome. I know that screenreaders can better read hashtags if they are camel-cased (#MastodonAccessibility vs #mastodonaccessibility), so try that with your username, maybe?
Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@mikebeganyi @andyburke Ah, never thought of that. Thank you, I’ll remove them.
Show threadJackie ❤️☮️🇵🇸🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧Nov 20, 2022
@miripiri Thank you. I've only just joined mastodon (emigrating from twitter), and will probably post photos. In my ignorance, I never thought of the visually impaired. I'm sorry for that.
So, do I just write #alttext and then a description?
Show threadMiriPiriNov 20, 2022
@BintyMcFrazzles I use the Metatext app and it has a text box on the photo I upload. I’m not sure about other apps.
Show threadJackie ❤️☮️🇵🇸🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧Nov 20, 2022
@miripiri Right, thanks. 👍
Show threadBorrisNov 20, 2022
@miripiri I'm finding almost the opposite. I guess it depends on where you are.
Show threadkathyblanchardNov 20, 2022
@miripiri this makes perfect sense. Not to mention there are people who think everything's about them, and would assume a posted pic is also about them, good or bad. It seems writing is a lost art.
Show threadRobert LewisNov 20, 2022
@miripiri
Good point. Will try harder to check for alt text before boosting.
Show threadJesseNov 20, 2022
@miripiri For those who aren't sure how to go about describing their images, there's a pinned thread on my profile that might help you. Please boost it far and wide, it might be just what someone needs to get started.