Conference session

As digital content continues to grow, images remain central to how information is shared online. However, for the 5.4% of Canadian adults living with visual impairments, access to this content depends on the quality of alternate text (alt-text). Too often, alt-text is treated as a checkbox for accessibility compliance rather than a meaningful tool for communication. This session asks a key question: how can we move from basic compliance to creating alt-text that truly supports understanding and engagement? This session brings together researchers, accessibility advocates, standards leaders, and industry professionals to explore current challenges and opportunities in alt-text practices across sectors such as education, e-commerce, publishing, and the public sector. It also examines the growing use of AI to generate alt-text at scale, questioning whether these tools improve user experience or simply automate minimal compliance. Participants will gain practical insights into evaluating and improving alt-text. The session introduces a draft rubric focused on clarity, context, and user value, aimed at supporting real-world implementation in workflows, audits, and procurement processes. Through discussion and collaboration, the session works toward defining a community-informed “minimum viable standard” for alt-text quality. Designed for academics, practitioners, policy makers, and community members, this session uses clear language and real examples to ensure accessibility for all attendees. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of effective alt-text, strategies for improving accessibility practices, and a renewed focus on user-centered design informed by lived experience.