Information Accessibility for Students with Visual Impairment

Guideline for ALT Attribute Function

Description

In order to ensure the accessibility of information for students with visual impairment, we strongly recommend staff to provide electronic information (such as, e-bulletin, email, UMMoodle, webpage, etc) in text format. Using a text-to-speech computer software that can convert text into audio output, students with visual impairment can listen to any text presented on a computer screen.

However, the software cannot convert text embedded in a graphic format (e.g. jpg, gif).For example,

Welcome=> Though the text “Welcome” carries some formatting, it is still in text format, which the software can convert into audio output.

=> The text “Welcome” is embedded in an image file, which the software cannot convert into audio output. Therefore, staff may use the ALT attribute function to specify an alternative text description for the image file, allowing the text-to-speech computer software to convert the text description into audio output. The following are the procedures for staff to implement the ALT attribute function in HTML webpage and UMMoodle.

1. Procedures for Implementing the ALT Attribute Function in HTML Webpage

After a graphic file (e.g. jpg, gif) is uploaded on a webpage, the HTML code <IMG src="graphic file"> will be generated automatically. Staff should modify the HTML code by inputting a text description of the graphic file using the ALT attribute function <IMG src="graphic file" alt=”the text description of the graphic file”>. Please see the following example:

  1. Upload thegraphic file <flower.jpg> on a webpage.
  1. The HTML code <IMG src="flower.jpg"> will be generatedautomatically.
  2. Add the ALT attribute function <alt=”a red rose”> after <IMG src="flower.jpg"> in the HTML code, i.e. <IMG src="flower.jpg"alt=”a red rose”.
  3. The text-to-speech computer software will give an audio output for the graphic file according to the alternative text description, i.e. “a red rose”.

2. Procedures for Implementing the ALT Attribute Function in UMMoodle

For instructions on using the UMMoodle, please browse

For implementing the ALT attribute function in UMMoodle, please browse

For more information regarding ALT attribute function, please visit American Foundation for the Blind webpage:

Enquiry

Student Counselling and Development Section

Address: Room A101, Admin Bldg

Tel.: 83974901

Email:

Webpage:

Rev.001 06/09/2013