“Why do we still have difficulties with alt text?” My reaction: we’d be better off if they were called text equivalents rather than alternatives. Alternative: “another/different version” Equivalent: “fit for the same purpose” #accessibility #a11y #history
Molly E. Holzschlag @mholzschlag
24 Apr 2021
In a zoom #UX #A11y #UniversalDesign meetup this week we were discussing alt "tags" and descriptive text. I became anxious about how our industry is nearing 30 years and why alt - introduced in HTML 2.0 (1995) is still misunderstood. What do you think factors in to why this is?
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Oh my dear. Derek, are you actually suggesting HTML be semantic? HORROR! SHOCK! DISMAY! 😂 Next up: Specificity algorithms for HTML. I actually think specificty in all language prevents communication breakdown. Semantics mean *everything* <pun/> ;-) xo/m
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You know, I have actually met some who think of semantics in a negative light as in “oh, it’s just semantics”. How do we combat that attitude? :)
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Replying to @vick08 @feather
Literacy is a big factor, as is repetition of inaccuracies. We humans are prone to believing what we hear, see, read, taught as fact but not fact. Many examples. I also really really want anyone in declarative language to take at least a college level intro to Linguistics course.

Apr 27, 2021 · 12:06 AM UTC