Alternative text is an HTML attribute that can be included to provide a textual description of visual content for people using screen reading technologies. For those working in education, government or other public services, alt text is an essential aspect of making their content accessible.
In considering the equity of access to visual content for blind and visually impaired people, I am curious to what degree of importance we should have regarding alt text for professional headshots. Much of the conversation I find on this idea is very subjective and often comes from technical experts who may or may not be assistive technology users themselves.
This survey aims to understand how developers and end-users consider alt text for headshots and how we can ensure equitable access to this content. I appreciate your time and consideration as we explore how to provide the most comprehensive web experience for everyone!