Twitter has been keen on making new improvements across its app and this next feature is proof of just that. Today, the company is testing out a new accessibility feature that will assist blind or low-visioned users in understanding tweets better.
Therefore, the app is sending out reminders in the form of alerts to users so they can begin incorporating alt (alternative) text with their images to make the launch a success. In case you’re wondering why, well, the simple addition of alt text to image posts makes tweets so much more accessible for low-visioned people to comprehend.
Alt text is the name given to a simple description that explains what is present in the picture and there's a reason why it’s so important. Therefore, those individuals who have trouble reading can now depend on this new feature to better relate to what’s being mentioned in tweets that entail a particular image.
This content could be in the form of memes, headlines, magazine flyers, or even a particular screengrab among many others.
Twitter says that at the moment, everyone is being given the chance to write out and incorporate alt text for images as well as GIFs that they put up with their tweets on the platform. However, Twitter says that it’s not mandatory but if done, it will only require a few clicks.
This is why many people are receiving little notifications as pop-up alerts that state: “Do not forget to make your picture more accessible to all!”
The company’s spokesperson confirmed that the new feature is getting launched today where a small group will first be able to get their hands on the functionality. These include those using iOS, the internet, and Android. Meanwhile, a bigger rollout for the masses is expected to arise soon.
Remember, the feature is optional and that means users will be given the chance to enable or disable it by resorting to their settings tab.
Every time a user chooses to put up an image, the alert will arise on the screen, ensuring users receive a constant reminder. It’s actually quite similar to the notifications that avid Twitter users get to double-check and read their tweets before they end up getting shared on the app.
The feature has been a long time coming for many blind users and those activists that advocate their rights. They’ve been wanting this launch for quite some time now, alongside a few others that they feel can go miles at making a difference in such users’ in-app experience.
Read next: Emojis are everyone’s favorite and they have proved it by the surging numbers of usage
Therefore, the app is sending out reminders in the form of alerts to users so they can begin incorporating alt (alternative) text with their images to make the launch a success. In case you’re wondering why, well, the simple addition of alt text to image posts makes tweets so much more accessible for low-visioned people to comprehend.
Alt text is the name given to a simple description that explains what is present in the picture and there's a reason why it’s so important. Therefore, those individuals who have trouble reading can now depend on this new feature to better relate to what’s being mentioned in tweets that entail a particular image.
This content could be in the form of memes, headlines, magazine flyers, or even a particular screengrab among many others.
Twitter says that at the moment, everyone is being given the chance to write out and incorporate alt text for images as well as GIFs that they put up with their tweets on the platform. However, Twitter says that it’s not mandatory but if done, it will only require a few clicks.
This is why many people are receiving little notifications as pop-up alerts that state: “Do not forget to make your picture more accessible to all!”
The company’s spokesperson confirmed that the new feature is getting launched today where a small group will first be able to get their hands on the functionality. These include those using iOS, the internet, and Android. Meanwhile, a bigger rollout for the masses is expected to arise soon.
Remember, the feature is optional and that means users will be given the chance to enable or disable it by resorting to their settings tab.
Every time a user chooses to put up an image, the alert will arise on the screen, ensuring users receive a constant reminder. It’s actually quite similar to the notifications that avid Twitter users get to double-check and read their tweets before they end up getting shared on the app.
The feature has been a long time coming for many blind users and those activists that advocate their rights. They’ve been wanting this launch for quite some time now, alongside a few others that they feel can go miles at making a difference in such users’ in-app experience.
Read next: Emojis are everyone’s favorite and they have proved it by the surging numbers of usage
