The Problem
A common misconception among content creators is that alt text is a simple, fixed description of an image. In practice, the same image can require entirely different alt text depending on its context and purpose, and without experiencing that distinction firsthand, the concept rarely sticks.
There was a need for a resource that didn’t just explain alt text, but let learners hear it in action before writing it themselves.
What I Built
An interactive ThingLink graphic that simulates the screen reader experience in real time. Each tag plays audio of what an assistive technology would actually say based on the alt text provided voiced using ElevenLabs.
A single AI-generated image of a tuxedo cat appears across multiple contexts, each with different alt text, demonstrating how purpose and placement should drive every decision.
Tools Used:
- Canva Magic Pro for AI-generated image of the cat
- Canva for the graphic and text
- ThingLink for the interactive elements
- Eleven Labs for the screen reader narration simulation
Where it Lives
The graphic is embedded in Module 5 of the Introduction to Digital Accessibility course, available to all UCF faculty, staff, and students. It is positioned to scaffold learners before they begin writing alt text themselves.
