[Athen] Image Alt Tags

[Kamran Rasul via athen-list]

Hi Emily,

I have included my answers below (in blue) and based on how I have configured my screen readers.

[cid:image001.png at 01DC5D43.A1EF0360]
Kamran Rasul, MEd.
Assistive Technology/Alternate Format Specialist (SDS)
Phone: 410-516-1167
E-mail: krasul1 at jhu.edu<mailto:krasul1 at jhu.edu>
Garland Hall, 1st Floor, Office 135-G
3400 N. Charles Street
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Schedule a meeting with Kamran<https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ATC2@live.johnshopkins.edu/bookings/>

From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman22.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Emily Singer Lucio via athen-list
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2025 1:00 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Image Alt Tags


      External Email - Use Caution

I am working with our social media tem and some questions came up about tagging images.  If you have any insights, I would really appreciate it.
* A while back I was told to write acronyms in alt text like "U-M-D" to make sure they're read aloud correctly. Is this still best practice?
o Is there a recommended way to approach acronyms that are pronounced as words? E.g. for one of the Athletics photos, "SECU" is typically pronounced "See-kyu"
With acronyms, I first type UMD and listen to how it's read. If it sounds off or awkward, then I suggest experimenting as you have done until you hear it the way it meant to be.
Keep in mind, a screen reader will announce dashes, so in those cases, I type it as: U M D (spaces between letters). This helps pace out reading the acronyms than listening rushing letters.
Or, as you showcased, you can phonetically spell it out, long as it is culturally pronounced correctly. Only change I would make is having it typed in this manner: See kyu
* On the flip side -- For branded phrases that are typically presented in all-caps for emphasis, should we deliberately lowercase them so that screenreaders don't get confused and think it's an acronym? E.g. "Next NOW Fest"
I take it the original branded phrase displayed as NEXT NOW FEST? Either way it read phonetically as it is written for me.
* Is there a best approach to dates? Would both "November 18, 2025" and "11/18/25" be read aloud correctly?
This is a personal preference.
I prefer having it as November 18, 2025, because if you think about other countries, they read it as day/month/year. If this not a concern, month/day/year will be fine and will read aloud including "slash."
* Is there a best approach to rankings numbers? E.g. would "#16" and "No. 16" both be read as "Number 16," or would we need to spell out "Number 16" for that to work?
For my setup it reads #16 as "number 16."

Respectfully,

Emily Singer Lucio She/Her/Hers
ADA Coordinator
University of Maryland, College Park
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Source: WeCapable
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