How to Embed a Long Description

When possible, the best option for including an accessible alternative to a complex image is to simply display it on the page. For instance, let's say you have an image of a chart. You could also include the same data in an accessible table below the image. In some cases, the alternative version of the image is supplemental to the main content and, as such, is not displayed by default and is instead placed within a show/hide. Whichever approach, it's up to the author, and either is fine as long as the description is properly labelled and associated with the image.

This page includes instructions for how to embed long descriptions in both Evolution and Canvas.

Evolution

Use the Long Description Image snippet available in the Simple Editor.

screen shot of the long description image snippet — Screenshot of the Long Description Image Snippet in Evolution

See the page titled "Image Snippets Examples and Instructions" in WCLD 101 for details. This snippet will support image descriptions that include lists or tables as well as text.

Canvas

See the Canvas Styles Adding a Long Description page for two ways to embed a long description in Canvas.

Updated November 2021