Ref.: Z-001/Z/SCD
Information Accessibility for Students with Visual Impairment
Guideline for ALT Attribute Function
Description
In order to ensure the accessibility of information for students with visual impairment, we
strongly recommend staff to provide electronic information (such as, e-bulletin, email,
UMMoodle, webpage, etc) in text format. Using a text-to-speech computer software that can
convert text into audio output, students with visual impairment can listen to any text presented
on a computer screen.
However, the software cannot convert text embedded in a graphic format (e.g. jpg, gif). For
example,
Welcome => Though the text “Welcome” carries some formatting, it is still in text format,
which the software can convert into audio output.
=> The text “Welcome” is embedded in an image file, which the software
cannot convert into audio output. Therefore, staff may use the ALT attribute function to
specify an alternative text description for the image file, allowing the text-to-speech computer
software to convert the text description into audio output. The following are the procedures
for staff to implement the ALT attribute function in HTML webpage and UMMoodle.
1. Procedures for Implementing the ALT Attribute Function in HTML Webpage
After a graphic file (e.g. jpg, gif) is uploaded on a webpage, the HTML code <IMG
src="graphic file"> will be generated automatically. Staff should modify the HTML code by
inputting a text description of the graphic file using the ALT attribute function <IMG
src="graphic file" alt=”the text description of the graphic file”>. Please see the following
example:
1.
Upload the graphic file <flower.jpg> on a webpage.
2.
The HTML code <IMG src="flower.jpg"> will be generated automatically.
3.
Add the ALT attribute function <alt=”a red rose”> after <IMG src="flower.jpg"> in the
HTML code, i.e. <IMG src="flower.jpg" alt=”a red rose”>.
4.
The text-to-speech computer software will give an audio output for the graphic file
according to the alternative text description, i.e. “a red rose”.
2. Procedures for Implementing the ALT Attribute Function in UMMoodle
For instructions on using the UMMoodle, please browse
http://webcourse.umac.mo/ummoodle/help_t.html.
For implementing the ALT attribute function in UMMoodle,
http://webcourse.umac.mo/ummoodle/insert_an_image.html.
please
browse
For more information regarding ALT attribute function, please visit American Foundation for
the Blind webpage:
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=57&TopicID=167&DocumentID=1453
Enquiry
Student Counselling and Development Section
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Email
Webpage
Room 2009, Student Activity Centre (E31), University of Macau
8822 4901
8822 2369
scd.disability@umac.mo
http://www.umac.mo/sao/scd/sds/aboutus/en/scd_mission.php
Rev.000
26/08/2014