Alt-text is an essential part of web accessibility, making visual content accessible to blind people and those with low vision. It is often overlooked altogether or understood through the lens of compliance, as an unwelcome burden to be met with minimum effort. How can we instead approach alt-text thoughtfully and creatively? In this workshop developed by artists Bojana Coklyat and Shannon Finnegan, we will reframe alt-text as a type of poetry and practice writing it together.

Workshop leader Shannon Finnegan is a multidisciplinary artist making work about disability culture and accessibility. She has done projects with Friends of the High Line, The Invisible Dog, and the Wassaic Project. In 2018 she received a Wynn Newhouse Award and participated in Art Beyond Sight’s Art + Disability Residency. She is a resident at Eyebeam in 2019.

Workshop Access Information: The workshop uses a slide presentation. All content from the presentation is read aloud and described. Three of the exercises involve participants describing 8.5 x 11 inch images. A variety of images are provided with a range of contrast and complexity. The exercises involve writing two to three sentences in five to ten minutes, but participants don't need to finish writing in order to participate in the discussion. One exercise asks participants to use an image from their own phone. If they don't have a phone or have access to images on their phone, participants describe something in the room. Large-print worksheets are provided. Participants are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet if they prefer to type or dictate. BAMPFA is wheelchair accessible and a wheelchair is available at the admissions desk for visitor use. For additional information about accessibility, please visit bampfa.org/visit/accessibility