Why YSK: If you want to make Lemmy a more accessible place for all, you need to know how to add labels (aka: “alt text”) to embedded images

As many of you are already aware, you can embed images in comments using the following markdown: ![](https://example.com/image.jpg).

That works, but the image will be left unlabeled which leaves screenreader users out of the conversation. This may seem like a theoretical problem, but it’s not – Lemmy already has an active blind community: https://rblind.com/

So, here’s what you can do to add labels when embedding images:

![Earth viewed from the Moon](https://example.com/image.jpg)

That’s it! Any text within the [] becomes “alt text”, which is what screenreaders use for describing images. It’s a small thing, but it makes a world of difference.

Remember: Reddit took something from many of us here. For some, it was a mobile app. For others, it was the ability to operate their own communities. Comment with solidarity; use alt-text.

  • ShittyKopper [they/them]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    5
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    There are no descriptions for image posts. You can however make a post that is both an image and text post at the same time, and throw the description there, until a proper way to put alt text gets implemented.

    • 70ms
      link
      fedilink
      English
      21 year ago

      Any tips for a sighted person on what makes for a good and useful description?

      • ShittyKopper [they/them]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        11 year ago

        I’m sighted (or, rather, sighted enough that glasses work) as well so I’m not the best person to answer this question.

        • 70ms
          link
          fedilink
          English
          21 year ago

          Hopefully someone will come along and answer. Thanks. :)