Canva Accessibility: How to Add Alt Text to Images in Canva

Today, we’re diving into Canva presentations to learn how to enhance accessibility by adding alternate text to images.

Video Guide

With Canva’s Design Accessibility options, you can find out what accessibility issues are present in your design so that you can fix them without needing to be an accessibility expert.

Canva graphics are not accessible. Click here to start using Venngage today!

Canva Accessibility: Adding Alternate Text to Images

Open up your Canva presentation. Once you have it set up, look for the Canva assistant button located in the bottom right corner. Click on it and type in “accessibility.” You’ll see an option called “Design Accessibility Check.” Click on it to review typography, color contrast, and the ability to add alternate text.

When you select the alternate text option, it directs you to the shape in question. Here, you can specify whether the image is decorative or requires a description for accessibility purposes. For example, if the image is purely decorative and doesn’t convey important information, mark it as such and hit save. Repeat this process for each image in your presentation.

Canva also provides suggested alternate text for images. If you’re unsure what to write, Canva offers descriptions based on the image content. You can use these suggestions or customize them to better suit your presentation.

Throughout the process, pay attention to how Canva categorizes shapes. Sometimes, shapes are mislabeled as images, so it’s crucial to correct them by marking them as decorative or providing appropriate alternate text.

Although Canva’s accessibility features aren’t flawless, they’re a step in the right direction. By taking advantage of these tools, we can improve the accessibility of our graphic designs and make them more inclusive to all viewers.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!