AI and Accessible Images for Inclusive Courses

Providing accessible images is a crucial step to ensure inclusivity and equal access to learning. When images are properly described, students using screen readers are able to access an equitable educational environment. We use the alternative text field when placing images in documents, presentations, and in our Blackboard courses.

There are several tools available to help faculty with accessible images. 

1. Ally Course Accessibility Report provides a big picture overview of your course's accessibility score, growing content by type and identifying issues in your course that is easiest to fix. Clicking the Start button will open a panel that helps you find the images and enter alternative text for those images in your course.
2. When using images in Google Slides or Documents, you can click on the image to activate a new menu, Format Options. Select Alt Text to enter a description. Repeat this process for every image.
3. When embedding images into Microsoft Word/PowerPoint files, you can improve accessibility with a simple right-click on the image. This action will activate a menu where you can find Edit Alt Text. If the image does not contain information, such as a stylistic border, you can mark it as decorative.

What if your course uses complex images, bursting with intricate details? How can you ensure that every student, regardless of visual ability, fully grasps their significance? 

ChatGPT 4* offers powerful image input functionality, allowing you to upload an image and generate complex descriptions. With its advanced language capabilities, ChatGPT can analyze an image, identify key elements, and produce informative alternative text that conveys the essence of the image. For example, we uploaded three complex images to generate extended descriptions of 100 words or less.