Rachel StantzJan 4, 2023

In a couple of different places on Mastodon this week I’ve seen people saying something to the effect of “what does visible alt text matter, it’s for screen readers.”

Here are just a few scenarios why people might want to view alt text visually:

1. “I made the post and I want to double check the alt text I wrote.”
2. “I did not make the post but I want to learn how other people write alt text so I can write better descriptions.”
3. “I’m having trouble making sense of the image but I think a written description would help.”
4. “My vision is enough to read text at my preferred font size but not in a tiny screenshot with jpeg compression.”
5. “This is what works best for me because of reasons I don’t want to get into.”

Accessibility is for everyone. Try not to make assumptions.

Show threadPattacakekJan 5, 2023
@arjache I have added text to several images that I’ve posted, but it doesn’t show up after I’ve posted it. Is that what is meant to happen, or am I doing something wrong?
Show threadRachel Stantz
@pattacakek You might want to check with a different Mastodon client! Often they will have a little Alt button on the image that shows alt text. Or, if you have any web development experience, you could also examine the image element itself on the web.
Jan 5, 2023 at 9:45pmWeb
Show threadPattacakekJan 5, 2023
@arjache any suggestions on which app?
Show threadKate BowlesJan 6, 2023
@pattacakek @arjache Toot! and Metatext apps both make adding and reading image descriptions (alt text) easy on iPhone. Minor flaw: Toot! will show very long descriptions as a transparent layer over the image. So writing out the whole text of a screenshot can trigger this problem. Do it anyway, just be ready for double vision.
Show threadPattacakekJan 6, 2023
@kate @arjache
Thank you, you have to pay for Toot so got Metatext.
I was getting really frustrated because I couldn't even sign in.
Then I realized (embarrassed) I was spelling Mastodon wrongly.
Show threadSarahJan 6, 2023

On Android Fedilab makes seeing alt text very easy when you open an image full-size.

When you're posting, it also gives you a little yellow triangle alert symbol when you attach an image reminding you to add a description.

@kate
@pattacakek @arjache