Alt text

Alt text is required

You must add alt text (or alternative text) when you upload an image to SF.gov.

Alt text helps people understand the meaning of an image if they cannot see it. It is read out by screen readers, or displayed if an image does not load or if images have been switched off.

Alt text should:

Be succinct. Typically no more than a few words or a short sentence.
NOT use the phrases "image of ..." or "graphic of ..." to describe the image. A screen reader already tells the user this information.
For complex diagrams, charts, maps and graphs a text based equivalent needs to be provided within the context of the page, such as in an adjacent data table. The alternative text can also be provided by linking to a separate web page that provides the longer description of the complex image.

Additional Information on Writing Effective Alt Text

Decorative images do not need alt text

Decorative images are ones that do not add to the information on a page.

For example, a picture of a flower used as decoration on a page about a health clinic would be a decorative image. Users do not need to know there is a flower on the page to understand the page content.

When adding a decorative image on SF.gov, you can check the "decorative image" checkbox. Alt text will not be required if you use this checkbox.