[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #47456: Improve the user interface to ensure correct usage of the image alt text

[WordPress Trac]

#47456: Improve the user interface to ensure correct usage of the image alt text
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 Reporter:  afercia                              |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  defect (bug)                         |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                               |   Milestone:  5.4
Component:  Media                                |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                               |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  wpcampus-report needs-design-        |     Focuses:
  feedback                                       |  accessibility
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Comment (by azaozz):

 Looking at the ticket description there seem to be some contradictions.

 The recommendations are pretty clear:
  A common misconception is that the image alt text should always be a
 "description of the image". In most of the cases, this is misleading.
 Actually, the image alt text needs to describe the purpose of the image in
 its specific context.
  ...
  The alt text is not constant: it needs to describe the image purpose on a
 case by case basis.

 But then "1. allow saving multiple alt attributes for a given media
 object: a default attribute and a set of alternates users can select from
 ".

 Why would there be multiple incorrect/out of context alt texts for the
 users to select from? This encourages improper use. It is clearly
 recommended to have different alt text every time the image is used (which
 in reality is pretty rare for non-decorative images).

 It seems that currently this is done "the wrong way" in WP. In order to
 follow the above recommendations WP should stop storing the alt text in
 the DB, and encourage the users/authors to enter appropriate alt text
 every time an image is used, including in galleries, etc.

 This will also resolve:
  2. have something in the editor UI that would let users know whether the
 alt text was filled, and what it says
  3. modifications on the Media views side to differentiate between the alt
 text describing the image and the alt text for a specific usage, which
 might override the normal alt text without changing it

 which, again, seem to encourage improper use of text for the alt
 attributes.

 Also agree with @joedolson's comment about linking directly to the image
 file. That's often done in order to allow the website visitors to download
 the image to their computer.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/47456#comment:10>
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