Images¶
Scope¶
Summary of Scope¶
This SPEC’s scope is on making visual media accessible to people with screen-readers.
This can be done with the implementation of ‘alt-text’ in images.
‘Accessible’ is a very broad term, so is ‘accessible open-source’. Open-source projects can be more accessible to people with visual, auditory, physical, speech, and neurological disorders. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary or situational [citation to WCAG page on Diverse Abilities and Barriers)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/people-use-web/abilities-barriers/].
This SPEC’s scope is on making visual media accessible to people with visual disabilities who use screen-readers. Visual media can be made accessible through the implementation of ‘alternative-text’ (alt-text).
People with visual disabilities include not only people who are blind with complete vision loss, but also people with partial vision loss, blurry vision, low-contrast vision and color-blindness. Some specific visual disabilities include myopia, cataracts and red-green color-blindess.
Some people with visual disabilities use assistive technology such as screen-readers to use the computer, navigate websites and use programs. Screen-readers ‘read out’ text and are used with keyboard commands to do a variety of actions. This is possible because how people with and without visual disabilities navigate web-pages is fundamentally the same. A web-page is built from elements such as headers, text, images and links. A user can navigate between these elements with a mouse, keyboard, screen-reader and more.
Screen-readers can preview and skip information by jumping between page headers, which is similar to visually skimming text. Screen-readers can also read out images with alt-text.
Alt-text is a short summary of an image. When screen-readers can read out images with alt-text, the user can still experience the image and access the valuable information images provide.
Images without alt-text are inaccessible to people using screen-readers. Valuable information is lost. For example, an tourism website may provide an image of a map showing the nearest exits in a museum. If no alt-text is provided, a user with a screen-reader misses this information. An alt-text of ‘A map of the museum. The nearest exits are to the left of the dinosaur exhibit.’ makes this information accessible and allows the user to navigate a physical space with independence.
Alt-text is rendered on web-pages as the HTML alt attribute [citation to MDN]. When uploading images online, the creator can attach alt-text to an image.
There are many excellent resources available for writing alt-text, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). However, there are many concerns specific to scientific Python open-source projects that WCAG does not adequately address. Therefore this SPEC aims to provide guidelines for writing alt-text for scientific Python open-source projects..
There are other worthwhile concerns about how open-source can be more accessible, such as keyboard accessibility. However, the implementation of that is beyond the scope of this SPEC. These are worthwhile topics for future SPECs.
Description of deliverables¶
The desired outcomes from the adoption of this SPEC is: * Accessible images with alt-text within various contexts in open-source software: * Main website * Documentation * Blog posts * Videos * Community Meeting Notes * and more
On a broader level, this SPEC also aims to create a cultural shift where people with disabilities feel welcome in open-source spaces. By removing these barriers, people with disabilities can use open-source software and disabled developers can contribute back. Thus open-source can better serve the needs of its disables users and in turn disabled people can shape open-source.
Implementation¶
Implementing alt-text for images used in open-source software can seem like a big task. There are probably many existing images without alt-text. In the same way projects can have technical debt, there may also be ‘accessibility debt’ to cover. Accessibility may not be part of the contribution review process, such as requesting alt-text in submissions or in CI tests. There are many options for auditing: manual and automated. This auditing can be done internally by contributors or commissioned to an external auditing company.
However, implementing alt-text can be done: if done deliberately, in stages and in coordination with others.
This section aims to highlight case studies where projects have implemented this SPEC’s guidelines, their unique challenges, solutions and outcomes.
The SPEC process is primarily aimed at ‘SPEC Core Projects’. The Core Projects are a small subset of the Scientific Python ecosystem consisting of mature, community developed projects that are (a) depended upon by most of the other projects and (b) responsible for reviewing, discussing, implementing, and endorsing SPEC documents. The full list of Core Projects can be found at the SPEC Core Projects page.
The SPEC process is primarily aimed at ‘SPEC Core Projects’ due their foundational nature. Rather than having projects built on top of open-source software inherit problems or create their individual patches, SPEC Core Projects have the power to solve accessibility problems across the board.
However, projects that are not SPEC Core Projects are certainly welcome to learn from and adopt this document. We invite discussion of any project’s needs and questions in this SPEC’s forum.
Any project is invited to use the Reference section in writing alt-text. The Reference section aims to be a centralized resource for writing alt-text specific for open-source software’s needs.
Core Project Endorsement¶
In the SPEC process, a SPEC document has three main stages: accept, endorse and adopt.
The authors of this SPEC are contributors in the SPEC Core Projects. They have also made several contributions specific to accessibility and alt-text. In their discussions with other contributors, they have seen several recurring questions worth documenting. They have also developed guidelines specific for open-source processes that are not answered by general alt-text guidelines. Therefore they have written this SPEC to share this knowledge and open this discussion with others.
The accept decision of the SPEC process is made by the SPEC Steering Committee. The Steering Committee represent the interests of the Core Projects and is composed partially of individuals who are active Core Project contributors. The full description and list of members can be found in the SPEC Steering Committee page
The endorse decision is made by the Core Projects. The Core Projects and interested community members revise the accepted SPEC in a collaborative and iterative process focused on ensuring the SPEC implementation plan that is broadly applicable and likely to be widely adopted.
The following Core Projects endorse this SPEC. #### NumPy #### (Second Core Project) #### JupyterLab
Ecosystem Adoption¶
The final stage in the SPEC process is adoption.
The adopt decision is made by individual projects according to their own decision-making processes. Any project in the ecosystem is welcome to adopt a SPEC at any point. However, it may make sense to wait until a SPEC is endorsed by several Core Projects
Core Projects interested in formally adopting this SPEC can follow the SPEC Purpose and Process page.
Formally adopting this SPEC has several advantages. It provides a space to ask questions, provide shared solutions and prevent ‘re-inventing the wheel’. It signals a project’s recognition and investment of accessibility as a core tenant of open-source software. It prepares Scientific Python for the next decade of scientific discovery and user growth.
The following Core Projects have adopted this SPEC. Each section highlights how a project has implemented this SPEC’s guidelines, their unique challenges, solutions and outcomes. #### NumPy #### (Second Core Project) #### JupyterLab
Closing¶
Accessibility comes in various forms beyond alt-text. The authors of this SPEC hope this document answers questions, coordinates across projects, inspires action and the development of future SPECs focused on accessibility.
This is the end of the high-level overview. The next section is the reference section.
The reference section is similar to an API reference. Look at the Table of Contents to see if any section pertains to your project or current needs.