Alternative text, commonly called alt text, provides a text description of an image for people who use screen readers or cannot otherwise view an image.
UserWay can identify images that are missing alt text and provide AI-generated suggestions. Because the most appropriate description depends on how an image is used on the page, it is best practice to review each suggestion and edit it as needed to ensure it accurately reflects the image’s purpose and context.
The Image Alts section of the UserWay Dashboard provides a centralized location where you can review and manage alt text for images detected on your website.
Accessing the Image Alts Section
To access the Image Alts section:
Sign in to the UserWay Dashboard at manage.userway.org.
Select Image Alts from the left-side navigation.
Select the website you want to manage from the dropdown menu.
The dashboard displays images detected and remediated by the UserWay Accessibility Widget as visitors browse your website.
Understanding the Image Summary
The summary at the top of the page provides an overview of the images detected for the selected website.
All Images – Total images detected as users browse your site
Images with Alts – Images that already include alt text
Missing Alts – Images without alt text
AI-Generated Alts – Images where UserWay has suggested alt text
Reviewing Image Alt Text
Each detected image is displayed on an individual card. Depending on the image, the card may include:
An image preview
The URL where the image was detected
Existing or AI-generated alt text
A field for editing the description
A Decorative option
A Save button
Review the available description to confirm that it accurately communicates the image’s purpose within the context of the page.
The appropriate description may vary depending on how the image is used and the information provided by the surrounding page content.
Editing and Saving Alt Text
To edit an image description:
Locate the image you want to review.
Review the existing or AI-generated alt text.
Edit the description as needed.
Select Save.
Before saving, confirm that the description accurately represents the image and communicates its purpose or relevant information.
Marking an Image as Decorative
Some images are used only for visual presentation and do not communicate meaningful information.
Examples may include:
Decorative shapes or patterns
Background images
Visual dividers
Borders or design elements
Images that repeat information already provided in nearby text
For these images, enable the Decorative option and select Save.
Marking an image as decorative allows assistive technologies to ignore it, helping prevent unnecessary or repetitive screen-reader output.
When an Image Preview Cannot Be Loaded
In some cases, the dashboard may display a Can’t load this image message.
This means UserWay detected the image reference but could not display its preview in the dashboard. This may occur when the image:
Is located behind authentication
Uses a temporary or expired URL
Is restricted by the website or hosting provider
Cannot be accessed outside the original page
Is no longer available at the detected URL
When a preview is unavailable, visit the affected page and review the image in its original context before editing or saving the alt text.
How Alt Text Supports Accessibility
Reviewing and managing image alt text can help you:
Identify images with missing alt text
Improve the experience for screen-reader users
Correct inaccurate or incomplete descriptions
Prevent decorative images from creating unnecessary screen-reader output
Maintain image accessibility as website content changes
Support efforts to address WCAG 1.1.1 – Non-text Content
If you have any questions, you can reach our support team at desk@support.userway.org.