Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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University website project (self.Blind)
submitted by Broken-Bold
I'm in my third year and doing computer science. I am doing a module on user interfaces and tasked to create a website that helps people with different disabilities.
My website is going to be based on photos/photo sharing like Flickr and I wish to create a place in which the blind can have the ability to understand the pictures on the screen.
I know from rough research that people who are visually impaired use screen readers but I was wondering if there was anything else that helps and is used by all people.
Any advice will help as well as questions.
My website is going to be based on photos/photo sharing like Flickr and I wish to create a place in which the blind can have the ability to understand the pictures on the screen.
I know from rough research that people who are visually impaired use screen readers but I was wondering if there was anything else that helps and is used by all people.
Any advice will help as well as questions.
gumbygirly 6 points 2y ago
I’m not sure what you think blind people need in addition to screen readers? The screen reader, when given the proper information, reads alternative text provided by the site creator.
It’s not revolutionary, but users with low or no vision really just need designs and developers to know how to build sites accessibly. The protocols are laid out, just not followed. It would also be beneficial if creators better understood when alt text is necessary and the level of detail required depending on the use of the image. The $1is beneficial for this.
It’s not revolutionary, but users with low or no vision really just need designs and developers to know how to build sites accessibly. The protocols are laid out, just not followed. It would also be beneficial if creators better understood when alt text is necessary and the level of detail required depending on the use of the image. The $1is beneficial for this.
Broken-Bold [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Can I then ask how you'd like alt text for images to be done. I say this because I want blind people to get an easier idea of what the photo is like.
These images used will be placed similar to websites like Flickr and Youpic. But I don't want you or others to be bombarded with alt text.
Simply speaking, I understand there's a limit to how things can be explained or broken down. I just want to know personally, how much alt text on images makes you comfortable.
I do apologise about my lack of knowledge when dealing with blindness. I did assume that there were other tools that people used.
These images used will be placed similar to websites like Flickr and Youpic. But I don't want you or others to be bombarded with alt text.
Simply speaking, I understand there's a limit to how things can be explained or broken down. I just want to know personally, how much alt text on images makes you comfortable.
I do apologise about my lack of knowledge when dealing with blindness. I did assume that there were other tools that people used.
Amonwilde 3 points 2y ago
Focus on what the image is for, not what it's about. If it's grandma smiling ready to blow our her birthday cake, say that. You don't need to say there are knick-knacks on the mantel or whatever. Just say what the purpose of the image is and you don't need to add a paragraph of visual detail that blind people probably won't care about.
Broken-Bold [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Okay that's perfect, I'll ensure that there isn't any paragraphs or chunky pieces
Amonwilde 2 points 2y ago
It's not the paragraphs that are the issue, just the unneeded stuff. If you wouldn't care about the stuff in the background then blind people won't either. Just imagine that you were scrolling through a site and you see a broken image. If someone could describe it to you, what would you want to know? Probably just why it was there.
gumbygirly 2 points 2y ago
Depending on the user, the site, the image, (and maybe even just the day of the week) there could be a lot of different preferences for alt text styles. The POET training tool is used to create some level of “standard.”
Perhaps varieties of alt text available on your site is your innovation? When a user, utilizing a screen reader, visits your site they get to choose descriptions that are brief verses very detailed. Fair warning, this will mean duplicating your galleries since there is only one alt= element per image.
Perhaps varieties of alt text available on your site is your innovation? When a user, utilizing a screen reader, visits your site they get to choose descriptions that are brief verses very detailed. Fair warning, this will mean duplicating your galleries since there is only one alt= element per image.
Broken-Bold [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I'm completely fine with extra work because I want to ensure there isn't a one-sided approach.
I'll be happy to work on two separate functions for alt text explanations. Thank you so much for your our advice and points.
I'll be happy to work on two separate functions for alt text explanations. Thank you so much for your our advice and points.
gumbygirly 2 points 2y ago
No problem. Hopefully some others will chime in as well. Good luck!
BlueRock956 1 points 2y ago
Checking this out: POET training tool Link
Superfreq2 2 points 2y ago
I think that a brief but hopefully comprehensive caption (done by machine if the public implementations are good enough now) with users encouraged and possibly rewarded in some way for adding more in depth hand written captions which a viewer can access if they wish may be the best bet.
If the machine learning isn't satisfactory, maybe everyone would be required to do a short caption, with an optional longer one as before. Of course enforcing this requirement would slow down uploads allot... But if the site is small it might be okay, and you may be able to make a reasonably accurate automated caption moderator to scan for common issues, along with a reporting system.
If the machine learning isn't satisfactory, maybe everyone would be required to do a short caption, with an optional longer one as before. Of course enforcing this requirement would slow down uploads allot... But if the site is small it might be okay, and you may be able to make a reasonably accurate automated caption moderator to scan for common issues, along with a reporting system.
Broken-Bold [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Sorry I just say this at 00:57am. Sorry about the late reply but you have a great idea.
The suggestion for making a user add in a comment would actually help out a lot as well. Indeed the site will be small so the rate of content uploaded isn't going to be a bother for me.
In regards to having a person but their comment in and ensure its kept to a fair length instead of one word. I'll set it to a minimum and maximum limit. As I feel it'll allow short responses to be descriptive whereas long descriptions won't be too much/bothersome.
Thanks so much. It's actually made my morning!
The suggestion for making a user add in a comment would actually help out a lot as well. Indeed the site will be small so the rate of content uploaded isn't going to be a bother for me.
In regards to having a person but their comment in and ensure its kept to a fair length instead of one word. I'll set it to a minimum and maximum limit. As I feel it'll allow short responses to be descriptive whereas long descriptions won't be too much/bothersome.
Thanks so much. It's actually made my morning!
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