What convinced you to start adding alt text to images you post online?
-
Kierkrampusgaanks regretfullyreplied to Stefan Bohacek last edited by
@stefan Threats from strangers
-
Stefan Bohacekreplied to Kierkrampusgaanks regretfully last edited by
@Kierkegaanks And you better stick with it or else!
-
-
@Heidentweet @anantagd I suppose I was trying to include that option from the point of view of someone who might see this as "nagging" to account for that group, if that makes sense.
I did once see someone argue that being "shamed" into adding alt text is what actually worked for them.
Perhaps that wording would've worked better. I appreciate the feedback, and I'll make sure to make more careful consideration in the future!
-
-
@Heidentweet @anantagd Not intended that way, but you're definitely making a good point.
-
@bright_helpings @schratze Exactly that. I have a real-life friend who might eventually go blind, so I've always had a personal interest in accessibility even before I came here.
-
[Yaseenist] CauseOfBSODreplied to Stefan Bohacek last edited by
@stefan because i want blind people to suffer equally from the very occasional caustic shitposts i create
-
Stefan Bohacekreplied to [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSOD last edited by
@CauseOfBSOD Seems fair!
-
@stefan "I need it" would have been another good option to include in this!
-
@[email protected] I have blind mutuals
-
@jackemled Yep, came to the same realization. Can never get these polls right!
-
Does using the Internet back in the 90s over dialup and also knowing people who use text only browsers count?
-
@encthenet Sure!
-
@stefan I started doing it because it was the norm here. In part because of the nagging, in part because it is a nice thing to do, in part because if I can't be bothered to write an alt text, the post is itself is probably too frivolous.
I was completely sold when I learned Mastodon's translate function also translates the alt text, translating memes without doing OCR or anything fancy. You don't even need to have impaired vision for alt text to be useful!
-
@porkroll Yes, love the translation of the alt text as an added bonus feature!
-
A pile of things: seeing others talk about it, causing me to learn about it, and the very small but reasonable 'threat' of "I won't boost this without alt text". It adds up. I try to be good, even though I'm not sure I do a good job of it.
-
@Pepperly From what I'm seeing, you're doing a great job!
It can be especially challenging to describe one's own artwork, from what I've been reading, so kudos to you!
-
@stefan I took it on myself after seeing others doing it, that is is possible and the fact that our society still has ways to go on the case of accessibility accommodations.
One of my colleagues is bound to a wheelchair and when we want to book a bar for an outing, I am shocked and annoyed that most of them advertise as wheelchair accessible, but the toilets are upstairs. Or there are raised podiums with no ramps. Banishing him to some abandoned corner of the establishment and if he has to go: tough luck.This is just one example of one type of accessibility issue, but it should not be this way. One day me or a loved one could get accessibility issues and I would feel blessed if adapting to it is minimal and less of a hassle.
-
@McWabbit "our society still has ways to go"
This is so true, and something people often don't realize until they directly deal with this, or listen to other people's experiences.
You're a good friend, and a true ally!