Using Alt Text in E-Learning #429: Challenge | Recap
On the surface, writing alt text seems simple enough: Add text to on-screen images to verbally describe what's depicted in an image. Eas...
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Hello!
In a recent discussion with my team on this topic, we thought it was sad how Alt Text isn't widely used on social media, and how this could be improved.
But writing descriptive Alt Text for memes is tricky! Does over-explaining a meme kill the joke? Why should those who rely on Alt Text be left out?
MEME-INGFUL INTERACTIONS
https://bit.ly/elhc429
In a recent discussion with my team on this topic, we thought it was sad how Alt Text isn't widely used on social media, and how this could be improved.
But writing descriptive Alt Text for memes is tricky! Does over-explaining a meme kill the joke? Why should those who rely on Alt Text be left out?
MEME-INGFUL INTERACTIONS
https://bit.ly/elhc429
"Woman yelling at cat" is one of my favorite memes. This was a really interesting concept to think about in context of elearning. When I think about times Ive most likely seen memes in training, its been at the beginning as a sort of icebreaker/introduction to a topic. im not sure if over explaining the meme would really add to the excitement of beginning the content, but im not sure what could replace it either, especially since a screen reader cant have a "sarcastic tone".
- Thanks Hannah. It's true that a joke stops being funny if you have to explain it. As such, are memes impossible to alt text without killing the joke? I had a similar debate over on LinkedIn.
At a fundamental level, I think it's sad that visually impaired people may be excluded from enjoying memes. But as Jodi points out, they're often 'inside jokes' anyway, which exclude some people by design. You either get them, or you don't, often based on your familiarity with the pop culture they reference.
But I do think it would be entirely possible for screen readers to pick up a '[sarc]' tag in the future, and adjust the tone of its delivery accordingly. Just as WellSaid offers narration, promo and conversational tones.
So who knows? I hope memes can become more inclusive in future.