Effective 1 October 2024, all accepted papers in the Review of Finance must include alternative text (alt text) for every image or figure. Alt text is essential for making visual elements accessible to readers who may be blind, visually impaired, or using screen readers and other assistive technologies. By providing accurate and descriptive alt text, we ensure our content is accessible to a broader audience.
What is Alt Text?
Alt text is a brief, descriptive text that conveys the content and function of an image or figure. This text should not only describe what is visually present but also explain its relevance in the context of the article. Alt text should be both clear and concise.
Good Alt Text Examples:
- Image of a microscope: “Microscope image showing a close-up of a single-cell organism.”
- Graph of statistical data: “Line graph displaying the trend of increasing average temperatures over the past decade.”
- Illustration of a plant cell: “Color illustration of a plant cell showing the different organelles and their functions.”
Bad Alt Text Examples:
- Image of a cat: “Picture of a cute cat.”
- Map of the United States: “US map.”
- Chart of financial data: “Graph of financial information.”
Best Practices for Writing Alt Text
When reviewing image/figure files, please ensure each image has alt text that is:
- Accurate: Describe the key elements in the image that are necessary to understand its role.
- Concise: Keep descriptions short, focusing on essential information.
- Relevant: Consider how the image functions within the article, and communicate that in the alt text.
Why Good Alt Text Matters
As you can see, good alt text provides a clear, concise description of both the image/figure’s content and function, while poor alt text is often too vague or too specific. Including appropriate alt text in every submission allows our publications to be accessible to a more diverse audience, including those who rely on assistive technologies. By ensuring that alt text is accurate and descriptive, we contribute to a more inclusive reading experience for all.
FAQs
Can I opt out of the requirement to include alt text for all my figures and tables?
No. Alt text is required by directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 concerning the accessibility requirements for products and services. All commercial enterprises operating in EU countries will need to include alt-text for every figure by 2025.
Are figure legends considered alt text?
No. Figure legends, while often providing useful context and descriptions of figures, may not be used in place of alt text. Alt text is intended to provide a textual description of an image for users who are unable to see it, such as those using screen readers. It should therefore be written specifically for the purpose of describing the image in a clear and concise manner.
Can I generate alt text using AI?
Yes, it’s fine to use AI to create alt text. However, you must check that the alt text descriptions meet the requirements outlined above.