welcome to dc-described! we're a team of fans who use this blog to collect and create image descriptions for blind and visually impaired fans. dm us if you'd like to be a mod or view our pinned for more information on accessibility.
[icon image description: a panel of barbara gordon as oracle. she is turning away from a her computer to glare at someone offscreen and wave her finger disapprovingly. end image description]
[header image description: a panel of barbara looking at an array of computer screens with a distracted expression. she is in a batman themed sweater and has a mic placed on her face. end image description]
Helpful information regarding image descriptions here!
What are image descriptions for?
Image descriptions are an accessibility tool made to help visually impaired people understand what an image looks like. While they are mainly for visually impaired people, they can also be helpful in other scenarios such as when someone has bad internet and the image won't load. Anyone can make image descriptions, and if you are interested in making some yourself, feel free to check out the resources we have listed above!
Why do you copy and paste the alt text into a reblog? Isn't a post with alt text already accessible?
While alt text is great, it isn't always reliable. Especially on a site like tumblr. The size of alt text cannot be adjusted for anyone with bad eyesight and it's common for alt text to sometimes just glitch out. Additionally the size of the ALT button can be difficult to see and click.
Because of this, we often copy and paste alt text onto the post itself via reblog so that visually impaired people can view it more easily.
This does not necessarily mean that alt text is a bad thing! Having any image description (regardless of the placement) can be immensely helpful. But including an ID onto the post itself is even better.
How do I write an image description?
I suggest reading [this] post! It is by mod bug and has lots of information and resources! You can also find these resources [here] at our resources page!
Some basics from that post:
Prioritize object, action, and context. What are we looking at, what is going on, and what is the surrounding environment? What do you need to understand about the image?
While describing art, it is important to consider what the most important details are. Especially in a complex work of art, descriptions can get pretty long and wordy which can be counterproductive and overwhelming to those who need them. Prioritize important details that are important to understanding the work of art. It’s okay to leave out some of the details out for the sake of readability.
Related answers: [here], [here], and [here]
How should image descriptions be formatted?
An image description should always be directly after the image, rather than under other text like the post’s caption.
Do not put it under a readmore, as the description will break if the original poster deletes the post/blog or changes their url.
It should always be in plain text with no formatting. Do not use small text, bold, italics, colored text, other fonts, etc. as not all screenreaders can handle these properly.
Use correct spelling and grammar when you can, but always transcribe accurately even if the text is grammatically incorrect or spelled wrong! You want to be as accurate to the original image as possible. Alternatively, spell it correctly but note how it was misspelled.
Transcribe symbols and emojis where you can! Some screen readers and some visually impaired people struggle with these. For example, instead of phonetically describing a heart emoticon (which would come out as "less than three") simply state that the image uses a heart emoticon instead.
What are your blogs rules for posting?
We reblog anything related to DC comics, including art, panels, and edits.
We reblog any posts related to accessibility that will make tumblr safer for visually impaired people.
Reblogs are not endorsements. We do our best to tag everything (including ships, characters, and triggers) properly but we will not avoid describing something because it makes anyone uncomfortable. If you believe something has been improperly tagged please send us an ask.
We will not reblog anything related to OC's or other fan-made characters.
We will not reblog uncredited art.
We will not reblog anything unrelated to DC.
Can I tag you in anything me or my friends described?
Yes, always! In fact we encourage you to tag us in anything so long as it is related to DC.
Please do not tag us with und3scribed artwork to request a description. Send it to our ask box instead!
Can you make an image description for me?
We would be more than happy too! Send us a link via the inbox and we will get to you ASAP! We will do our best to describe it when we can, but please be patient with us!
What if we made or reblogged an ID with a mistake?
Send an ask and let us know! It may take us a little time to see it, but we will fix it as soon as we can.
If your question isn't answered here, feel free to send us an ask. Thanks for reading!
[ID: Fanart of Ronnie Raymond from DC comics sitting down and leaning back to smile brightly at the viewer. The background is white and decorated with red swirls and stars. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Scott and Barda Free from DC comics. Barda lifts Scott up to her chest as they wrap their arms around each other and grin. The background is pink with a white heart in the center. Scott is not wearing his mask. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Cassandra Cain and Rose Wilson from DC comics sitting across from each other in the back of a pickup truck. Cass is wearing a green flannel over her bra and shorts. Rose is wearing a black top and jean shorts along with her necklace and bracelet. Cass closes her eyes and lifts her chin with a relaxed expression as Rose looks down and holds a cigarette, smiling softly. The art has a misty effect. End ID]
[ID copied from alt text: A digital painting of Mae Kent sitting behind a sewing machine, face turned down toward it, over an edited real background. Mae has big curly ginger-blonde hair, light skin, and freckles. She’s wearing an oversized blue sweater with red cuffs and the name Kent in the center. One framed picture in the background wall is Clark with Ma and Pa and the other image is a child’s drawing of Superman.
The reference photo for the last two images. The background is the same but the woman is real, not a drawing, and doesn’t look like Mae.
A close-up of Mae’s face from the first image. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Saturn Girl from DC Comics. She is smiling and looking off to the side. She is shaded in pink/yellow tones and there is a white/transparent wave pattern behind her. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Clark Kent from DC comics drawn over an image attached to a Tweet. The caption reads, "would not let my pie cool on a windowsill near this mf." The image attached shows Clark as Superman smiling brightly with sparkles drawn around his face. The background shows a sunny day. End ID]
[ID copied from alt text: A digital painting of Mae Kent and Stephanie Brown smiling at the camera while embracing. Steph is plus-size and has huge curly golden hair, brown skin, freckles, and brown eyes. Mae is skinny with wavy blonde hair, light skin, brown eyes, and freckles. Their outfits do not match but they have they complement each other with the same color palette.
A close-up of Mae’s face from the illustration above. Her hair has many layers. It also has streaks of yellowy blonde as well as auburn mixed in with her dark blonde.
A close-up of Steph’s face and hair from the image above. Steph’s hair is a very large gold-blonde afro. She has two small scars on her chest and neck. She is wearing the red horned headband she wore as Robin.
Teenage Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in a similar pose to Mae and Steph in the above images. This is the reference. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Bart Allen from DC comics with his knees tucked to his chest as he grins up at the viewer. He is in his Impulse uniform. The art is drawn over a white background and includes a panel of him at the top left. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Cassandra Cain from DC comics looking up at the viewer with a tired yet determined expression as blood trails down from her nose. She is in her Batgirl uniform with mask off. There is a tear in the shoulder revealing blood and a bandage on her left arm. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Diana of Themyscira from DC comics drawn from the waist-up. She tilts her head to the side and smiles at the viewer as she crosses her arms. Her hair is curly and falls down to her waist. The background is gray and decorated with stars. End ID]
[Plain text: she’s so beautiful with her curls! End PT]
[ID: Fanart of Dick Grayson from DC comics holding a hot drink in one hand and a bag containing three baguettes in the other. He tilts his head up to smile at an autumn leaf falling above him. He's wearing matching blue earmuffs and a sweater, with a dark blue jacket overlayed on top of it. The background is white. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Damian Wayne from DC comics in his grey Robin uniform. He stands on a rooftop and looks to the city with clenched hands and a tense expression. His cape airs out dramatically over the landscape. He is not wearing his mask. End ID]
[ID: Fanart of Bart Allen from DC comics walking with a bored expression. The art is drawn over a series of panels which show Bart trying and failing to sleep. End ID]
