Definition

Alternative information refers to the provision of equivalent content in a different format than its original presentation, where both versions convey the same fundamental information or message. This practice is crucial for digital accessibility, as it ensures that individuals with diverse disabilities can access and understand content regardless of their sensory or cognitive capabilities.

Explanation

In our rapidly evolving technological landscape, where concepts like driverless cars and self-cleaning ovens are becoming reality, it's essential to consider how digital information is consumed by everyone. Have you ever paused to wonder how individuals who are blind access and "read" web pages, or how those who are deaf comprehend audio content on the internet? The answer lies in the strategic provision of alternative information.

Individuals with various disabilities often require specialized aids to effectively interact with digital content. This assistance is primarily delivered through Assistive Technologies (ATs), such as screen readers (for blind users), braille displays, switch devices (for users with motor impairments), and captioning software. The principle behind alternative information leverages the strengths of different sensory modalities. For instance, while a blind person cannot visually read text, they often possess highly developed auditory processing skills. Conversely, a deaf person, while unable to hear, typically has excellent visual comprehension.

Therefore, the core concept of alternative information revolves around converting content from one format into another that is more accessible to a specific user group. This ensures that the message is universally understood.

Here are a few prominent examples of alternative information:

• Alt text (Alternative Tag): As discussed previously, this provides textual descriptions for images. When a screen reader encounters an image, it reads out the alt text, effectively conveying the visual information in an auditory format to blind or visually impaired users.
• Transcripts: These are textual versions of audio content (like podcasts, lectures, or interviews) or video content (dialogue and important sound effects). By providing a full written transcript, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can read the content, and it also benefits those in noisy environments or who prefer reading.
• Captions/Subtitles: Similar to transcripts, captions are synchronized text displays for video content, providing the dialogue and often descriptions of significant non-speech sounds. Closed captions (CC) can be turned on or off by the user, while open captions (OC) are always visible. They primarily benefit individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Audio Descriptions: For video content, audio descriptions are narrated tracks that describe visual information (like actions, characters, scene changes, on-screen text) that is essential for understanding the content but not conveyed through dialogue. These are particularly vital for blind or visually impaired users.
• Page Summaries: For very long or complex web pages, a concise summary at the beginning can provide a quick overview of the content, benefiting users with cognitive disabilities or those who prefer to grasp the main points rapidly before diving into detail.
• Presentation Summaries: When a presentation (e.g., a PowerPoint or Google Slides deck) contains critical visual information, providing a separate textual summary or outline ensures that individuals who cannot access the slides (due to visual impairment or lack of software compatibility) can still comprehend the core content of the presentation.