Memes have become a powerful medium for communication, humor, and expression. However, understanding the humor or message conveyed by a meme can be challenging for individuals with visual impairments. That's where ALT text and image descriptions come into play. In this blog, I will provide several best practices for crafting appropriate ALT text and image descriptions to ensure everyone can fully participate in the online meme culture.
What’s the difference between ALT text and image description?
ALT text and image descriptions serve as a textual representation of the image, making it accessible to individuals with low vision or who use screen readers, Braille displays, or other assistive technologies. But there are a few key differences between the two:
- Location - Alt text is typically attached to image metadata or added to social media's "alt text" box. Image descriptions may be in the image caption, in a text post, or otherwise incorporated into a social media post.
- Visibility - Alt text is usually only visible to screen readers, who read the alt text out loud or display it on a braille display. Image descriptions are "exposed" and can be read by anyone.
- Length of text - While alt text is typically limited to 100-250 characters, image descriptions can be the same length or longer since they are included in the photo caption, text post, or text link.
- Level of detail - Image descriptions go more in-depth about visual details than alt text due to the larger character limit.
~ courtesy of How to Write ALT Text for Memes , Veronica Lewis
Making memes accessible enriches the overall user experience on your website or social media platform. Here are a few best practices to make that happen.
How to Write Effective ALT Text for Memes
- Be Descriptive but Concise:
- Provide a brief, clear, concise description of the meme.
- Focus on the essential elements and message of the meme.
- Avoid using overly technical or jargon-heavy language.
- Include Key Details:
- Mention the characters, actions, emotions, or objects featured in the meme.
- Highlight the humor or message, if relevant.
- Maintain the Tone:
- If the meme conveys humor, ensure that your ALT text reflects the comedic nature.
- Match the tone of the meme without losing the essence in translation.
- Avoid Redundancy:
- If the meme's text is already present within the image, don't repeat it in the ALT text.
- Instead, provide context or additional information that isn't visible in the image.
Examples of ALT Text for Memes
Example of a "Distracted Boyfriend" Meme
Good ALT Text: "A man looks at another woman while his girlfriend angrily observes, representing infidelity and temptation."
Good Image Description: A young man in a light blue shirt, walking alongside his girlfriend, turns his head to ogle a woman wearing a red sleeveless dress who is walking in the opposite direction. The girlfriend, in blue jeans and a light blue sleeveless shirt, looks on with surprise, dismay, and anger, while the woman in the red dress has a confident, self-assured expression and continues walking down the busy city street.
Example of "Just Want to Comply" Meme
Good ALT Text: Close-up of a woman with tears running down her cheek. The words say, “When you just want to comply to WCAG.”
Good Image Description: A woman is shown with tears streaming down her face, looking very emotional and distressed. The text overlaid on the image reads, "When you just want to comply with WCAG." This meme humorously captures the struggle of striving to meet the standards set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Conclusion
Incorporating ALT text and image descriptions into your meme posts or website content is a small yet impactful step towards making the internet more inclusive. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your memes are accessible to all, regardless of their abilities. So, remember, when sharing memes, remember to share the experience with everyone through thoughtful ALT text and image descriptions.
