Andrea DichlbergerApr 6, 2025
Christine Malec
Fuck I love Mastodon! No other platform has ever given me as a Blind person such access to the public sphere as I've gotten today from alt text of protests in the United States. Thanks to all you gorgeous folk for demonstrating that inclusion matters, cause it sure does to me!
Apr 5, 2025 at 10:03pmWeb
Show threadDianeApr 5, 2025

@ChristineMalec

If it helps any, I also posted some audio clips from the protest.

https://timeloop.cafe/@alienghic/114287696190781402

Diane (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 audio I remembered there's several blind people who follow me, so I did some audio clips of people chanting "Donald Trump has got to go" #HandsOff It's still just with a cell phone so it's a bit quiet. Though maybe be careful if you're using headphones

the Timeloop CafΓ©
Show threadDemocracy Matters Apr 5, 2025

@ChristineMalec

Glad you’re here!

Show threadFurbland's Very Cool Mastodonβ„’Apr 5, 2025
@ChristineMalec this is why I love mastodon, everyone coming together to help others enjoy the platform. this is why you should add alt text to all your posts, everyone. no exceptions.
Show threadDoug BostromApr 6, 2025

@ChristineMalec

Having picked up on early training I now feel itchy if I don't do alt text.

Scratching the itch feels great. :-)

Also it's bonus input window, enough for a short story.

Show threadGunChleocApr 6, 2025
@Doug_Bostrom @ChristineMalec Alt text is a lot of fun when you find that sweet spot between being informative and being creative. It's an art form.
Show threadPatrick HadfieldApr 6, 2025
@gunchleoc @Doug_Bostrom @ChristineMalec I love writing alt-text. It makes me examine why I'm sharing an image, to look intently. I find it very useful!
Show threadChristine MalecApr 6, 2025
@patrickhadfield @gunchleoc @Doug_Bostrom That's one of the things that makes great alt text, when someone is able to say why an image is worth sharing.
Show threadWinfried is Anti Fascism πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆApr 6, 2025
@Doug_Bostrom
Shhhhhhtttt.... don't reveal the secret: on an other account I maintain, I include in the alt text always a little joke, background information or an other bonus. A little treat for people depending on the alt text or those just reading it...
@ChristineMalec
Show threadKevin RussellApr 6, 2025

@ChristineMalec

#Mastodon must add code so that all uploaded images are poisoned for AI scraping automatically.

Show threadmoon77Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec πŸ€—
Show threadAhri EnbyApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec welcome! Enjoy your stay!
Show threadFlying_Donny for democracyApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec I'm so, so happy that that is your experience!
Show threadPaul 保羅Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec yeah man, I've been here around a week now and I've been loving it. Great community, conversations, concept, etc. I'm glad you're able to participate. We love inclusivity here :)
Show threadCode of Amor πŸ’˜Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec that's a glistening spark of pure joy in this chapter of gloom
Show threadthejikzApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec thank you for helping us to see your perspective!
Show threadjesseApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Been here since 2018, glad to see you
Show threadIrishMASMSApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec welcome
Show threadDavid W. JonesApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec
Welcome, Christine! I try to keep in mind to that we are all just a short distance from blindness - a stroke, accidents involving eyes, untreated cataract, untreated glaucoma, etc. We're all very fragile beings!
@Furthering
Show threadHippo πŸ‰Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec thank you, and I'm happy to hear all that alt-texting helps! Although it's become second nature to me now; like @gunchleoc commented elsewhere it's also an art form 
Show threadSimon BrookeApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec you're one of the people I am particularly thinking of when I write #AltText. So, although yes, of course I am writing it for everyone, you can think of it as me writing to you.
Show threadChristine MalecApr 6, 2025
@simon_brooke Oh how I love that!
Show threadeconadsApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec and me as a fully abled person who sometimes has a dodgy connection and can't be bothered to wait for a picture to maybe load or not.
Show threadHereWeGohhApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec What do you think about the bots that describe pictures? Are they a good option?
Show threadChristine MalecApr 6, 2025
@HereWeGohh I commonly use AI for image description and I have no objection what so ever to others using it to write their alt text, especially if they vet the description before posting. Some bots are terrible, like FaceBook's, but AI has been a huge win for the Blind community in this respect.
Show threadHereWeGohhApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Thank you, your answer was very helpful to me.
Show threadAlexandro Lacadena πŸ“·Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec thank you for reminding us how important it is to write ALTs on images and videos.
Show threadɩɐΙ₯ɔɐɿɐɯApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Let this be a lesson to people that alt text really matters. I'm glad you're enjoying, and I'm glad you're feeling like you can participate in the message people are trying to send. <3
Show threadFlavourDaveApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec ✊✊
Show threadFrank HeijkampApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Inclusivity means including everyone. Happy to read you feel included, that's how the world should be.
Show threadArcticulateApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Great to hear it’s working so well for you! Social media is not social without inclusion.
Show thread┐⁠(⁠ β Λ˜β _⁠˘⁠)β β”Œ alm10965 β€’ 6Γ—πŸ’‰Apr 6, 2025
Welcome πŸ––@ChristineMalec do You know, we have an @altbot here, in fediverse, which can generate an #AltText automated, for each posted image
Show threadPreukApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec #BlindLivesMatter!
Show thread2Β’Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec I do alt-text, but I'm lazy about providing good detail. You have inspired me to improve. I am grateful for your gratitude! This medium is truly fucking better than most I've tried. Even my salty posts are generally accepted by thoughtful people who tolerate my curmudgeonly disposition. Can't think of a better place. Not even IRC or Usenet.
Show threadChristine MalecApr 6, 2025
@Qbitzerre Keep it salty, and don't scrimp on the profanity!
Show threadEl Kozinski ex machinaApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec πŸ‘€
Show threadScooter Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Glad to know that you feel included here! It's a stronger place when everyone can meaningfully participate.
Show threadMAD7  Apr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec enjoy Mastodon with us :)
Show threadPeter BindelsApr 6, 2025

@ChristineMalec as a non-blind person, thank you to everybody for adding alt texts. They illustrate how you see a particular image, so for me it's a huge benefit too.

And of course, if you are blind, it's required. But it's not just helping the blind.

Show thread𝙲:\πšπš›πšŠπš—πš”πš£πšŽπš—> β–ˆApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec Thank you for the feedback. People often view adding alt text as a pointless chore (and get pointed at for it) so it's nice to know when users actually find it useful.
Show threadRS, Author, Novelist, ProsaistApr 6, 2025
@ChristineMalec I'll admit I sometimes feel burdened by composing the alt text, especially when I'm in a hurry, but your heartfelt thank you has made it all worthwhile.
Show threadEnea LecasApr 7, 2025
@ChristineMalec Inclusivity matters. People with disability should be able to have their place in society. (I speak as a covid long-hauler). Personally, I always take the time to fill the alt text for the images that I upload.
Show threadmillerebondsApr 7, 2025
@ChristineMalec Sometimes I was lazy to write descriptions, sometimes I took pleasure to write them, sometimes wrote long ones, I apologise for the first case.
Show threadChristine MalecApr 7, 2025
@millerebonds I know it's time-consuming and I don't expect every person to do it every time, but I do notice who usually does and who never does, and I always appreciate them no matter how long or short they are.
Show threadifimaceoApr 9, 2025

@ChristineMalec

try to find social media that have no bots, and see this one, is it really the choice.