Twitter released two new features that will improve the alt text experience on its platform. Twitter will try to release this feature for about a month for all users; they can try to add easy-to-access descriptions to images before rolling them out globally at the start of April. The company added “alt text” to an image that allows people with low vision or a cognitive disability to “fully contribute” to this platform. This feature will help the user who doesn’t have a fast internet connection.
Now, you can add alt text to an image by tapping the “Add description” button when you upload a picture. You want to be concise but descriptive when writing alt tags as a rule of thumb. You will see the “alt” badge appear at the bottom left corner of the image. You can tap to read the description. The company also has a reminder when users add descriptions to images and said it would have more to share about that functionality “soon.”
In 2020, Twitter had launched a voice note feature that didn’t come with accessibility tools like closed captioning. Then the company apologized for its actions and established two dedicated accessibility teams. This feature has been waiting a long time coming, and the company, thanks to the user’s patience until today, come.