Twitter begins to implement alt text reminders for images

Ben Bayliss2 minute read

Twitter is continuing its efforts to increase blind accessibility on the social media platform with a new reminder feature for alternative text (Alt text). This new feature comes hot off the heels of the new alt text badge feature that allows users to click the alt badge to read an image’s image description.

Now, some users may have noticed a small reminder when composing a new tweet with an image. The message details that alt text is for users with low vision or who are blind, and as of July 13, the reminder started rolling out. Twitter explained that users with access can navigate to the settings area to the accessibility section. From there, a toggle for “Recieve image description reminder” is found.

Recently, Twitter revealed some statistics during Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2022 that showed only 0.6% of images shared on the social media platform are accessible.

Twitter is also trying to explain how to write alt text following a lot of misuses since the accessibility feature has been in the spotlight some more. Examples point to hidden messages, jokes hidden away, and an #AltTextAddsMore campaign from Microsoft that led to a lot of controversy for using the feature to hide long-form and irrelevant writing.

However, there has been a nice rise in the use of correct alt text over the last few months with some doing the bare minimum and others exceeding expectations. Hopefully, the push continues and those using alt text on Twitter continue to use it well and continue including those who are blind or have low vision.

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Ben
BaylissEditor-in-ChiefHe/Him

Ben is the one in charge of keeping the content cogs at Can I Play That? turning. Deafness means that he has a focus on discussing captions, but with experience in consultancy and advocacy, he covers what bases he can. Having written about accessibility in video games at DualShockers, GamesRadar+, GamesIndustry.biz, Wireframe, and more he continues his advocacy at CIPT. He was actually awarded a Good Games Writing award for an article he wrote here! He enjoys a range of games, but anything that’s open-world and with a photo mode will probably be his cup of tea. You can get in touch with him at: ben@caniplaythat.com

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