Twitter has announced that it is testing new usability tools that will make alt text descriptions considerably more valuable and accessible to everyone on the network.
Twitter announced the ALT tag and revised picture captions on Thursday, which are now available to users all across the world. This will increase the visibility of ALT tags and explanations.
It is really simple to use in terms of functionality. When a Twitter user submits an image with a caption or any form of explanation, the image will be tagged with an ALT tag, which when clicked will reveal the description. Changes to Twitter were first reported earlier this month.
"The ALT tag and displayed picture captions become global today, as promised," according to a message from Twitter's Accessible handle. During the previous month, they rectified issues and received feedback from the restricted release group.
Twitter has included step-by-step instructions for inserting the ALT tag in a blog post.
A person must tap on the badge in order to see the image's description. Most users did not have access to an ALT badge prior to the release date if they kept the screen reader open. Twitter first introduced image captions in 2016, but it might be difficult to figure out where and how to use them.
Twitter did not have a dedicated accessibility team until the end of 2020; instead, employees who sought to help with usability issues volunteered their time.
The ALT caption, according to Twitter, will make things easier for those who can't see, have poor eyesight, have cognitive disabilities, use assistive technology, or live in low-bandwidth areas to participate in the system. The ALT badge and visible picture captions are rolling out internationally, as the team mentioned, Twitter's Accessibility account said in a message on April 8th.