Review the meaning of text alternatives
Make the same concept available through text, images, and audio.
Use this lesson with the “Create an accessible multimodal resource” skill builder. Allow about 45 minutes for reading and practice; provider training is additional.
1. Learn the principle
A description should communicate the information an image contributes in context. Review AI-generated descriptions for omissions. Also check the resource’s reading order and keyboard access.
2. Study a worked example
A diagram description says “a chart with three bars” but omits the values being compared. Add the values and the relationship that the lesson requires learners to interpret.
3. Practice with your own example
Choose one diagram. Write its purpose, essential information, and text equivalent. Ask a colleague to answer the lesson question using the text alone.
Produce: A reviewed mini-resource with text alternatives and transcript.
Review your work: Essential information is available without relying only on sight or sound.
4. Check your understanding
Does adding any image description guarantee access?
Reveal the explanation after you answer
No. The description must convey the necessary meaning, and the surrounding resource must be usable too.
5. Extend the skill
Test a full resource with the relevant assistive technology and document remaining barriers.
Continue with an official resource
W3C WAI: Informative images tutorial ↗
The lesson above is an original NextGen-AI practice guide. The external link is supplementary provider training, documentation, or curriculum; it is not required to access this lesson. Providers control accounts, pricing, and course availability.
Return to your learning plan
If this lesson opened in a new tab, return to the assessment tab to keep your current answers. Review your resource, mark the exercise complete there, and take the ending survey once all three exercises are complete. Save progress in the assessment before closing that tab.
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