Writing Strong Alt Text on Edovo: Best Practices and Why It Matters
What is Alt Text?
Alternative text (alt text) is a short written description that conveys the purpose and meaning of an image in words. Screen readers rely on alt text to inform learners with visual impairments what the image conveys. It also helps learners when images fail to load or when users choose to browse with images turned off.
Alt text isn’t a caption and doesn’t describe every visual detail. Instead, it focuses on what’s important for understanding both the content and the learning objective.
How to Write Effective Alt Text
Use these best practices:
1. Describe the Meaning, Not the Visuals
Good alt text conveys why the image is there. Focus on the information or concept the image adds to the content.
Bad alt text: “Image of a brain graphic”
Better alt text: “Diagram showing the prefrontal cortex labeled with functions including self-control, decision-making, working memory, and planning”
2. Include Any Text That Appears in the Image
If the image contains words, write them exactly in the description so screen reader users don’t miss important text.
For example: “Text reads: ‘Prefrontal Cortex: The Shot Caller. Where your strategy lives.’”
3. Keep It Brief but Clear
Alt text is most useful when it is concise — usually one or two sentences — while including key information.
4. Avoid Redundant Phrases
Do not start with phrases like “image of” or “graphic showing.” Screen readers already announce that there is an image.
5. Use Context
Consider what the learner needs to understand. If the surrounding lesson text already explains something, the alt text can build on that instead of repeating it.
Why Alt Text Matters in Digital Learning
Alt text is crucial to accessibility. It allows learners with visual impairments to engage fully with course content, ensures compliance with accessibility standards, and improves usability for everyone. In digital learning platforms like Edovo:
Screen readers read alt text to describe images aloud.
Alt text helps learners with cognitive or visual processing challenges.
Search engines use alt text to understand what images represent.
Every learner deserves equal access to meaning and learning — alt text makes that possible.
What’s New on Edovo and What You Need to Do
When you’re editing unpublished content on Edovo, the Editor now requires alt text (a maximum of 140 characters) for every image before you can save or publish. This update ensures all new and revised materials meet accessibility best practices.
FAQs
Answer:
No — you do not need to go back and update previously published materials unless you choose to revise or republish them. The alt text requirement applies only to unpublished or newly edited content going forward.Updating past courses with alt text will not interfere with participants’ progress. Participants’ existing progress, completion status, and saved data will remain intact. You do not need to re-upload content or reset participant progress in order to add alt text.
Q: Will adding alt text affect learner progress?
Answer: No. Adding alt text will not interfere with learner progress, completion data, or course history.
Q: Do we need to re-upload content?
Answer: No. Alt text is currently required only for images inside Active Content created in the Edovo Editor.Passive resources (such as uploaded PDFs, videos, or external files) are not affected by this requirement. The alt text requirement applies only to images added directly within the built-in editor for Active Content.If you update or create new Active Content going forward, you’ll be prompted to add alt text for each image to ensure accessibility.
Answer: No. The Edovo Editor requires alt text for every image before Active Content can be published.This requirement ensures that all learners can access the meaning of visual content, including learners who use screen readers or have limited visual access. Requiring alt text at publish time helps maintain accessibility standards and prevents important information from being missed.Alt text is a small step that makes a big difference in creating inclusive, effective learning experiences.
New and edited content must include alt text before publishing.
Ideal length: Under 140 characters
Existing published content can remain as is unless you choose to improve it.
Updating past content for accessibility will not erase progress or require re-uploads.
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