Alt Text, Image Descriptions, AI Tools

The “Everyone First” Approach

In the world of social media and digital content, an “everyone first” mindset is essential for creators.

This means overcoming the common misconception that accessibility is too time consuming and acknowledging that all content should be accessible.

When accessibility is integrated from the start, you ensure your message reaches the widest possible audience.

Tas The Artist shared insights as a professional at the December 13th, 2025 Live Accessibility Demo Event. They leverage their technical expertise and lived experience to make the online world accessible.

Here is a practical guide to mastering core accessibility features in your digital content.

Distinguishing Text & Image Accessibility: The Critical Difference

While both are crucial, alt text and image descriptions serve different purposes for different users. Confusing the two is one of the most common accessibility mistakes content creators make.

Alt Text Purpose: Read by assistive technology

• This text is hidden metadata, placed in the image’s HTML code (the alt attribute) or within the document properties (e.g., in a PDF or a Word document).
• It is never visible on the screen to sighted users. Short descriptions are preferred, usually less than 150 words maximum. They allow screen readers to understand the image. If alt text is missing, assistive technology cannot read the image. The screen reader will typically only announce “image” or the file name, which gives the user no helpful information.
• Alt text is always needed if you are using images

Image Description Purpose: Provides rich, visible context for all users

• Visibility within posts or documents or within the post body (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
• Longer (can exceed 150)
• Helps users with cognitive disabilities “picture” the image
• Without image descriptions, users with processing differences may not understand the image. They will see the visual but lack the necessary context to grasp its relevance to the rest of the post.
• Image descriptions are always needed when the post text does not explain the image context.

Common Alt Text & Image Description Errors

Alt Text Mistakes:

• Making the text too long (e.g., 500 words), which creates a significant barrier for screen reader users.
• Keyword Stuffing: Attempting to stuff keywords into the alt text for SEO purposes is counterproductive. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated and can recognize this outdated practice. It can actually result in a quality score penalty. This undermines your content’s ranking.

Image Description Mistakes:

• Not including it in the social media post or documents.

Leveraging AI for Time-Efficient Accessibility (Experience & Expertise)

The common “no time” excuse for avoiding accessibility is effectively negated by new AI tools.

AI as a Tool:

• AI, through tools like Gemini or Perplexity, can rapidly generate initial alt text and image descriptions.
• This generation process takes seconds.
• This feature makes accessibility quick and easy, as long as you always edit the AI-generated content for accuracy. AI isn’t always correct.

Join Tas for Live Accessibility Demos twice a month!

THE NEXT SESSION is December 27th, 2025 at 1:00pm MST

Session Topic: Submit your colors on your registration form. Tas will provide feedback and live-create accessible templates for each person’s submitted colors. No names will be mentioned during the session. You will receive an email with you new accessible social media templates after the session!

Last day to register is December 26th, 2025.

Sign up for my newsletters to get all upcoming events details by clicking this link: Join my Newsletter