#about descriptions

[im-a-broken-jar]

It's super duper punk to add alt text or media descriptions to media you post by the way !! And to ensure the location of any indoor meet-ups or concerts has wide doorways and ramps !! A punk space that isn't accessible shouldn't call itself punk !!

[minicy]

Edited 2/24/2023: Hi and welcome! I try to describe all non-text posts I reblog here and occasionally post my own thoughts, images and writing here as well.

Posts with image descriptions are tagged "described"

Posts with information or captions that convey the contents of an image without being a formal description are tagged "functionally described" and come up in a basic Tumblr search for described posts

Posts that have alt text but no description are tagged "alt text included"

Some images get posted without description and are tagged "undescribed"

Pinning some stuff on descriptions:

I've read multiple opinions from people with low vision and people with no vision. My alt text and image descriptions are primarily based on the essay Against Access by John Lee Clark, which is to say, I don't attempt to write unbiased descriptions and I try to prioritize details like texture over purely visual details like color. However, this is not the only way people write image descriptions, and completely blind people are not the only people who use image descriptions. I recommend reading How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions For The Visually Impaired by Veronica Lewis, which is a highly accessible blog post that goes over the basics of alt text and image descriptions.

2. I omit information sometimes. It isn't "more accessible" for someone to listen to 10 paragraphs to know what a sighted person sees in a minute or less.

3. If you have a correction that a description needs to be made, such as misidentified ethnicity or incorrect pronouns, send me the post in question and I will change it ASAP. Same goes for spelling errors or grammar / formatting errors that will gum up screen readers.

4. I describe art and try to capture the mood & tone of the pieces I describe. This is a conscious interpretive choice on my part; image description is always interpretive. If I reblog your art that you made, and you want the descriptions altered, message me and I will do so ASAP.

5. If you make an "ID addition" on any of my posts I am blocking you. If you dislike or disagree with my description, make your own. You can even copy-paste my description to a new reblog and then add to it; I don't really care much about credit. "Additional IDs" make images less accessible, spreading information (sometimes too much information) over multiple comments from multiple blogs.

[im-a-broken-jar]

Let's play a game with media descriptions!

For the month of July (Which is disability pride month!! Happy pride!) I'll be doing a fun little game— super simple, anyone can participate.

I'll post one image, gif, or etc and three descriptions for it. At the end of the post will be a poll, in which you vote for the description you think is the most helpful! When the poll is over, I'll reblog with my thoughts.

The purpose of this game is to help people who don't know much about image descriptions learn more about them and to help people get better at writing them.

The game will be under the tag Media Description Game, if you'd like to keep up on them.

[im-a-broken-jar]

Everyone deserves access to information. It doesn't matter what kind of information, everyone deserves access to it. Everyone deserves access to information. Screen reader users deserve access to information. Blind and low vision people deserve access to information. Deaf and hard of hearing people deserve access to information. Do we got that? Good, now start adding media descriptions and subtitles to your informative posts.

[im-a-broken-jar]

Okay, here's how you add alt text on tumblr mobile.

Firstly, add the image like normal.

Now, there should be three little dots in the corner of that image, yes?

Click the dots.

Now, a button should pop up that says "add alt text" click that.

Now you just write the alt text in the space provided.

Now you click the "done" button.

And that's it! You can continue writing your post or post it, whatever. It has alt text now, making your blog more accessible to people using screen readers.

[im-a-broken-jar]

How do you feel would be the best way to describe text-less art? I make cartoony style drawings and am thinking about adding ALT texts to my posts, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it

Hey I'm genuinely so glad you're trying to be more accessible, that's great! Thank you very much for that and also for the ask.

There's a guide in my pinned post for art, which is: main point of focus, interesting features, what you spent the longest amount of time on, any text shown, background.

I imagine it would work for this, just removing the bit about text? If there are any emotions or anything like that the piece is meant to convey, it may be helpful to point those out as well. When I describe my own art I always try to mention things like art style, color, highlights / glare, line art, shading, etc. as well if they help convey the vibes of it / are important context / etc. but I don't think they're completely necessary in every context. Some people prefer really descriptive alt text for art, whereas others prefer whatever captures the vibes of the art correctly (while not being jokey or relying on things that shouldn't really go in alt text like unnecessary caps or emojis) so it depends on the way you want to do it and / or what the people viewing your art find more accessible. Just like how people who can see engage with art that's done in art styles they like, different people will have different preferences for ways things are described. Don't worry too much about trying to get it absolutely perfect, you will get better at writing it over time.

If you think examples might help you, I have a side blog for daily worm doodles called @worm-a-day and all media there has alt text, maybe giving the alt text there a look will help?

I hope this helps but feel free to send another ask if it isn't (or for a different reason)!

[im-a-broken-jar]

here`s how to add alt text to images on tumblr desktop.

firstly, add the image like normal.

if you hold the cursor over the image, three little dots will show up in the bottom right corner. click them.

2. there will be a pop up with a button that says, "update image description" click that.

3. a text box will show up. write the image description there.

4. once you've done that, click the bottom right button that says, "update"

now you're done! the image has alt text now.