Cynthia Morse LintonApr 22, 2023
Jesse
If you use #AltText, I have one thing to say to you.
Thank you. You may not get commentary on a post every time you write it out acknowledging that you did, but as someone who's #Blind, trust me. We notice.
If you don't write AltText on your photos, we notice that too. Please give it a try. Imagine how you'd feel if you came across picture after picture that looks like a blank screen to you. You'd be frustrated, right?
If you don't know where to start, check out my pinned thread on AltText.
Apr 21, 2023 at 3:12pmWeb
Show threadTeresa 🦯🦻🏼Apr 21, 2023
@JesseF8693 Me, too; so much appreciate the alt-text.
Show threadAaronApr 21, 2023

@Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 Often they're helpful for people who can see, as well. They help me to understand the intentions of the poster, or notice the things they mistakenly think are obvious.

#ActuallyAutistic

Show threadOutOnTheMoorsApr 21, 2023
@Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 I find cartoons are the most difficult to describe in Alt-Text. Any suggestions on how to do them better?
Show threadValerie RoneyApr 21, 2023
@CrazyMyra @Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 I imagine telling a friend across the room what just made me laugh on my phone. Enough detail to share the joke, but not bogged down in detail.
Show threadOutOnTheMoorsApr 21, 2023
@vlrny @Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 Thanks, I'll try it
Show threadTeresa 🦯🦻🏼Apr 21, 2023
@CrazyMyra @JesseF8693 Of course, everyone is going to have their preferences, but if there’s a punchline to the cartoon, definitely get the details in that contribute to the idea of the cartoon.
Show threadOutOnTheMoorsApr 21, 2023
@Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 Right. I messed up one a couple of hours ago on that score
Show threadTeresa 🦯🦻🏼Apr 21, 2023
@CrazyMyra @JesseF8693 It takes a little practice. 😉
Show threadOutOnTheMoorsApr 21, 2023
@Pipistrelle @JesseF8693 reposted 😊
Show threadJesseApr 21, 2023
@CrazyMyra @Pipistrelle You can actually retroactively add #AltText now if you edit a post.
Show threadOutOnTheMoorsApr 21, 2023
@JesseF8693 @Pipistrelle The Alt-text was there already, but it wasn't very good. I haven't found a way on Tusky to edit the text
Show threadTeresa 🦯🦻🏼Apr 22, 2023
@CrazyMyra @JesseF8693 Yeah, if I can’t do it on an app, I go to the web interface. I actually haven’t needed to do that with the app I use for quite some time.
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@Pipistrelle @CrazyMyra I'm curious what you're using.
Show threadTeresa 🦯🦻🏼Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 @CrazyMyra Mona
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@Pipistrelle @CrazyMyra Ah. Same. I think it's getting pretty close to release, actually. Updates are a lot less frequent than they were. Most recently they just submitted bug fixes.
Show threadAllen StenhausApr 21, 2023
@JesseF8693 I just pretend I'm a dungeon master describing things to my players. Boom! Alt-text.
Show threadPusher Of Pixels (old account)Apr 21, 2023
@JesseF8693 I try to add it, definitely one thing Mastodon opened my experience on. One gripe is that copying another pic with alt text doesn't also copy the Alt text; small but annoying problem
Show threadsoeanApr 21, 2023
@JesseF8693 good to know. That's really a fine feedback!
It's always hard to imagine want someone blind might see. So I'm not sure if I describe it in the right way. But I'll go on trying my best.
Show threadJesseApr 21, 2023
@alikatze Try asking yourself how you might describe the very same thing to a friend over the phone. That's one approach I've heard works well for people.
Show threadsoeanApr 21, 2023

@JesseF8693 ja, that's fine for people who might have the same visual experience. I knew some guys who got blind in the early twenties and had seen things.
But it's much harder to imagine, what you are when you never had a visual experience.

But... On the ocean film tour I've seen a blind surfer. He got blind in his early years and he said that he doesn't dream in pictures anymore. He dreams the way he "sees".

Perhaps it's even good to describe things our mind adds to the seen?

Show threadJesseApr 21, 2023
@alikatze I'd just focus on what is seen in the image personally. That's just me though. Feel free to experiment a little!
Show threadOlavApr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 we don't boost photos without alt text and that should be the norm.
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@olavf I know a number of folks who do the same. When you have the #disablility community in mind like this, everyone benefits. So many people, so many companies, don't realize or understand this.
Show threadPotung ThulApr 22, 2023

@olavf
@JesseF8693
I, too, decided to have that policy, aided by the creators of the #Fedilab app which pops up a dialog box: "image has no #AltText. Are you sure you want to boost?"
But I think a kinder way is to boost, and then tell the post-er who wrote the post, "Hey, people appreciate alt text --how 'bout you put some?"
Maybe I'll even volunteer some alt text that can be cut& pasted in easily.

A friendlier, less adversarial Mastodon!

Show threadOlavApr 22, 2023
@potungthul
@JesseF8693 more apps are going towards a prompt, if optional. And I wonder how many people know, but don't care. So I figure the occasional blanket reminder (instead of confronting someone) is probably the best way to go
Show threadAmiW Streetart ❄️Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 ❤️
Show threadVayl Larkin (they/them)Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 Thank you for this affirmation. I have a question that I hope it's ok to ask. Only answer if spoons are available! How is it best to describe large groups, (15+), all in a group, where the viewer is not expected to know anything about who the people are outside the context provided in the text? If you have time, check my most recent photo post (4/22) and see what you think of that tangled mess. To be clear, I'm sure you are inundated and I'm not just assuming you'll get to this. ;)
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@VaylLarkinPoet I looked and I wasn't able to find it for some reason. But I would say generally, in large groups like that, ask yourself, "How much do the details of everyone in this photo matter?"
It's cool to describe details of one or two people, but you also want to be mindful of the fact that describing multiple people can overwhelm your audience. The more people there are, the more diminished the returns. But
1/2
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@VaylLarkinPoet you can always look to see if the group has something in common, i.e if they're all wearing a shirt with the same text on it, and describe things that way.
I hope this helps.
Show threadVayl Larkin (they/them)Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 Thank you thank you! I am sorry you couldn't find it. I actually can't remember if I posted it before midnight, so it Might have been 4/21. In any case, this was above and beyond! My gratitude :).
Show threadJay Tea MoriartyApr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 I use altText all the time, hell I'd want used of i were on the other end. You're welcome, I appreciate the thanks.
Show threadDigitalStefanApr 22, 2023

@JesseF8693 Is there a good way to describe photo's and screenshots? I know what I'm trying to capture in a photo, but I'm not skilled in the descriptive writing department.

I do try, but I always wonder if I'm inlcluding either too much irrelevant information or not enough.

Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@DigitalStefan The biggest thing to figure out before you write a description is, why are you sharing this? What, about the photo, makes it boost worthy? If you were talking to a friend, how would you describe it to them?
You don't need to describe every little detail in most cases, just the core of what the photo is so someone gets the message.
1/2
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@DigitalStefan Screenshots, particularly with text, are something of a different story. In that case, the message is more important, so it's best to write out as much of the text word for word as you can so we get the same information. That said, it may not be necessary to write things like time or author if that information is present. Just the body itself.
I hope that makes sense.
Show threadDigitalStefanApr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 yes Thankyou. I will keep this in mind. Appreciate your taking to time to reply.
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@DigitalStefan My pleasure.
Show threadzSchön Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 You don’t have to be thankful when people are not #ableistic .
Even though it isn’t the case yet, it should be normal to be accessible.
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@TheAlgorythm It should be, yes. But technology isn't at the stage where things can be easily described. Right now, photos take up a lot of the media landscape and can't always be described with any great deal of accuracy by automated solutions.
The way I see it, the people here on Mastodon aren't being paid to write #AltText. There is, unfortunately, no extra incentive for them to describe an image beyond the satisfaction of knowing it might help someone.
1/2
Show threadzSchön Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 I understand that. But if people only do things in their spare time they have an incentive to then it isn’t spare time anymore. So people should have an intrinsic motivation to be kind and not an asshole by not writing #AltText when they know better.
And there I agree that it is helpful telling that it matters. Further I am thankful in situations where it is even less needed.
1/2
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@TheAlgorythm Oh I absolutely agree. That's why I feel my post is all the more important.
The big problem is that #AltText was never widely promoted by any of the social giants. So I think there's a large lack of awareness, even today. I wouldn't go so far as to outright call people who don't write it assholes, but I do think it's unfortunate. Because with the culture around here... well, I've seen just based off this post alone how many people don't boost things without AltText.
Show threadzSchön Apr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 But we should be careful when thankfulness is appropriate as it could lead to feeling dependent on the submissiveness (bad wording) against others and therefore to a lower self-esteem.
For context I am currently in the process of overcoming self-referred internalized #ableism .
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@TheAlgorythm I agree. I don't feel dependant on anyone like this myself. I throw it out for others, not for me.
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@TheAlgorythm Furthermore, they really don't know if their post is being seen by the people they're putting in an effort for, people they don't even know. To some it might feel pointless. That's why I choose to recognize it in posts like this.
Show threadluddite 🇵🇸 computerApr 22, 2023
@JesseF8693 idk if it's my client, but I don't see a pinned thread on your profile :S
Show threadJesseApr 22, 2023
@_benui Interesting. What client is that?
Show threadTransitBikerApr 23, 2023
@JesseF8693 it hard for me, but I try.
Show threadsimonf 🦘Apr 23, 2023
@JesseF8693
I suddenly felt guilty for not alt-texting a couple of posts.
I tried to go back and edit to add text but i couldn’t see a way (with the iOS app). If anyone does know I’d be happy to learn it.
Show threadJesseApr 23, 2023
@simonf What's your client of choice?