[Athen] Alt Text in Visual and Performing Arts

[Edward Martinez via athen-list]

Dear ATHEN Colleagues,

I am writing to seek your professional guidance regarding the development of appropriate alt text and long descriptions for course materials used within Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) programs.

Our VPA faculty have identified a significant concern that I imagine some of your institutions may also have encountered. Specifically, they are apprehensive that when alt text requires detailed description of artwork—particularly in disciplines where visual analysis and interpretation are core learning outcomes—the description may inadvertently disclose interpretive cues. Their concern is that this could provide students with information that could compromise academic integrity by influencing their independent analysis or artistic critique.

Given this challenge, I would greatly appreciate any insights or resources you may be willing to share. In particular, I am seeking:


  *
Established frameworks, standards, or methodologies for describing complex, abstract, or interpretive artworks in an accessibility‑aligned yet pedagogically neutral manner.
  *
Examples, templates, or institutional guidelines that address the balance between accessibility and preserving academic rigor in art‑based coursework.
  *
Effective  strategies for collaborating with faculty to distinguish objective description from academic interpretation.
  *
Recommended scholarly or practical resources relevant to accessibility practices in fine arts, studio arts, or performance‑based disciplines.

If your institution has developed procedures to navigate this issue , I would be grateful to learn from your experience.

Thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and any expertise you may share.

Sincerely,
Edward Martinez
Digital Accessibility & Assistive Technology Specialist
Broward College


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Read&Write for Education<https://academy.texthelp.com/read-and-write-education/> - "Empower learning with Read&Write—your go-to literacy support tool. Enhance reading, writing, and comprehension with intuitive features designed for students, professionals, and lifelong learners alike."

________________________________

Please Note: Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written communications to or from College employees regarding College business are public records, available to the public and media upon request. Therefore, this email communication may be subject to public disclosure.
[cid:image034545.png at 372A5A60.986F663C]
Edward Martinez ​​​​
Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology Specialist       ,       Broward College
P: +1 (954) 2018986<tel:+1%20(954)%202018986>
E: emartin5 at broward.edu<mailto:emartin5 at broward.edu>     |      W: broward.edu<http://www.broward.edu/>
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,       FL      33314
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[Broward College Aspen Prize Finalist With Distinction]

________________________________

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