There’s no excuse for not using alt text. This is a text-based app. It’s just doing *more* of what you’re already doing: using words to communicate a thought.
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I try to incorporate alt-text as a standard part of my image posting process for social media. I also post on Pixelfed which has an alt-text section for images, and Flickr which doesn't have a dedicated alt-text section but still has a description box where alt-text can be placed. It is very helpful
I recently learned there's an option you can turn on that doesn't allow you to post UNTIL you fill out the alt text, and I've found that very helpful for overcoming my executive dysfunction issues. Makes it impossible to screw up. Haven't missed one since. 🤷🏼♂️
Um…what? That is complete nonsense. Alt text predates LLMs—like, by a lot—and is included as a fundamental tenet of digital accessibility in any guidance you’ll find. Use alt text or don’t, care about equal access or don’t. But stop spreading false information about it.
That’s not what actual disabled users on here have said. This is an accommodation that exists across the internet and predates the widespread use of LLMs.
They aren't the buyers. They're the nudging tool to get other people make the data that is scraped and sold. The buyers are all the AI, LLM, and "smart" product developers.
Saying you shouldn't do alt text because data crawlers might read it is like saying we should remove elevators and wheelchair ramps because cops have feet lol
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Deciding that means you get to not use accessibility features is kinda convenient
It's another variation of captchas. Marketing it as for handicap people is deceptive.
https://www.404media.co/bluesky-posts-machine-learning-ai-datasets-hugging-face/
It has the added benefit of making you think more carefully before posting, which is a good thing in general
Accessibility accommodations being misused by capitalism is not a reason to stop providing accommodations.
I’m not an expert, but this article changed how i add alt text to original artwork, to make it less useful to content scrapers.
Sharing for anyone interested. Not saying this is the ‘right way’ or a solution.