Describe It!

What Happens to Submitted Descriptions?

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In order to obtain a variety of descriptions, each image is described three times before it is retired. Once an image is retired, the submitted descriptions are evaluated by library research staff who select the best description for each image. The selected descriptions are then converted to alt-text that can be accessed by assistive devices.

Alt-Text in Action: Demonstrating How Alt-Text Works Using The Wool Winder by Jean-Baptiste Greuze

Below we have created a visual example of what alternative text looks like using Jean-Baptiste Greuze's The Wool Winder.

Here’s how The Wool Winder appears visually:

Here’s how alt-text of The Wool Winder appears as source code:

<img alt="Woman in a blue striped dress and bonnet winding balls of wool yarn alongside a cat.">

Here’s how alt-text will be accessed by assistive devices:

The alt-text description will be read aloud to the user by with an assistive device or assistive technology such as screen reader software.