Alt text makes images more accessible by describing them to people using screen readers. All users in Employee Groups can now add alt text when uploading and sharing images, helping to create a more inclusive experience for everyone in your program.
Permissions
Anyone can add alt text to images they upload.
Uploading images with alt text
Users can add alt text when uploading an image across the following areas in Employee Groups:
- Feed posts
- Comments
- Blogs
- Event pages
- Banner carousels
- Activity pages
- Activity responses
- Media library
Understanding how screen readers use alt text
When alt text is added to an image, screen readers automatically read it aloud to users accessing the content non-visually. If no alt text is provided, the image is treated as decorative and skipped by the screen reader.
This ensures that users only hear relevant, meaningful content without unnecessary clutter.
Writing helpful alt text
Alt text should briefly describe the purpose or meaning of the image, especially for users accessing content with a screen reader. The goal is not just to describe what the image looks like, but to communicate what the user needs to understand or do.
Keep these best practices in mind:
- Be concise and specific, usually under 150 characters
- Focus on what the image means or shows in context, not just visual details
- Use plain, neutral language and avoid assumptions about people or emotions
- Include any visible text that appears in the image, if it is important
- Avoid starting with ‘Image of’ or ‘Picture of’ (screen readers already indicate that)
If an image is purely decorative (for example, a background pattern, divider, or repeated branding), it should be marked as decorative. These images are skipped by screen readers to reduce noise.
Images that are fully described in nearby text or captions also do not need alt text.
Alt text is always optional, but including it helps ensure your content is inclusive and user-friendly.