Last week we explored the method of adding a textual description of the complex image directly within a Canvas page, and/or providing a table. One consideration of this is that it can take up valuable real estate and diminish white space on the page. This week's goal presents another option for how to give your students access to a complex image description using linked files.
Create a new Word or Google Doc and type in the textual description for the complex image. Remember, it's not necessary to articulate every single detail in the image. Focus only on the information needed to understand the learning objective.
In the Canvas page, immediately preceding the complex image, provide a link to the Word or Google Doc file you just created. This link should come before the image, so screen-reader users are alerted to the fact that a full description is available. For the link text, be sure to mention where the link will take them (i.e. "Click this link for a [Google Doc/Word doc] with full text description of the following image"). The actual image should still contain alt text, but a simple sentence like "A full description of the image is available in the preceding link" should suffice.
Click "Save" on your Canvas page to save your changes.
FUN FACT: All students can benefit from having access to these textual descriptions, regardless of disability status. By providing multi-modal information, you're tapping in to more than one learning style. It's just good practice!
Check out this video for how to implement the steps above:
