Alt Text for Scientific Figures: 3 Rules With Examples

 


Scientific figures can communicate complex information in seconds. But for readers using screen readers, a figure without meaningful alt text for scientific figures can become an information gap.

Writing accessible alternative text is not simply about describing what an image looks like. The goal is to communicate the relevant information and purpose of the figure.

Here are three practical rules.

1. Describe the Information, Not Just the Object

Weak:

Graph showing results.

Better:

Line graph showing treatment response increasing from 42% to 68% over a 12-week study period.

The second description communicates information that the reader needs.

2. Keep the Purpose of the Figure in Mind

Ask: Why is this figure included?

If the figure demonstrates a trend, describe the trend. If it compares groups, explain the comparison. If it illustrates a process, describe the important steps.

Avoid unnecessary visual details that do not contribute to understanding the research.

3. Know When Alt Text Is Not Enough

Some scientific figures are too complex to explain adequately in a short alt-text field.

Examples include:

  • Detailed statistical graphs
  • Complex diagrams
  • Scientific models
  • Multi-part figures
  • Dense data visualizations

These may require a longer description or an equivalent accessible representation.

For publishers working toward WCAG 2.2 compliance, accessible figures should be considered throughout the editorial and digital publishing workflow, not added just before publication.

Wordium’s Accessibility Services can help publishers review and remediate accessibility issues across digital publications, including figures, EPUBs, PDFs, and structured content.

Need your journal content reviewed for accessibility? Talk to Wordium about an accessibility audit and remediation workflow.

Related service: Accessibility Services

Hashtags:
#AltText #ScientificFigures #AccessiblePublishing #DigitalAccessibility #WCAG22 #WCAGCompliance #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #STMPublishing #AccessibilityServices #Wordium



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