Background
The kiosk's screen reader interprets content on the kiosk using text to speech. In order for the screen reader to give an effective user experience, kiosk content that is presented in images and thumbnails will require alternative text, an equivalent way of communicating non-text content that an application such as a screen reader can access it. This should be used combination with using semantic HTML that allows the kiosk screen reader to accurately determine document structure.
Maintenance: When should alt text be added by museum staff?
Whenever there is a change in kiosk content, for example, when a new themed tour is added to the kiosk's roster, care should be taken to include alt text descriptions for any visual content that is added. This is a very fast and simple way to maintain the kiosk's accessibility.
How to create alt descriptions
A text alternative should be brief but as informative as possible so that it can support the kiosk's purpose of introducing visitors to the themes of the DIA, and then getting them on their way to the galleries. Here is a heuristic process for creating alt text:
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It is also important to have the kiosk evaluated from the point of view of a screen reader user to determine the effectiveness of the ALT texts and adapt them if necessary.
Example of alt descriptions for current wireframes
Please see our Kiosk wireframes (Draft 5) and their associated storycards for examples of how alt text is integrated.
Additional resources
WCAG - Technique for providing text alternatives
AEB's Guidelines for verbal description