Why this matters
When a learner is blind or has low vision, they rely on a screen reader to tell them what is on screen. The screen reader reads the alt text you write. If there is no alt text, the image simply does not exist for that person. In regulated industries — healthcare, finance, government — missing alt text is not just a quality issue. It is a legal one, under WCAG 2.1 and Section 508.
Storyline 360 example
A Storyline slide shows a diagram of a workplace safety process. The image has no alt text set in the Size and Position panel. A screen reader user hears silence and moves on — missing the entire concept.
Rise 360 example
A Rise lesson uses an image block showing the steps of a first-aid procedure. The alt text field in block settings was left blank.
How to fix it
- 1Go through every image, icon, and graphic in your course
- 2If an image adds meaning — describe what it communicates, not just what it looks like
- 3Keep alt text under 125 characters and write it like a sentence
- 4If an image is purely decorative, mark it as decorative so screen readers skip it
- 5Test your course with a screen reader like NVDA or VoiceOver when you are done
Fix in Storyline 360
- 1Click the image on your slide
- 2Go to the Size and Position panel and open the Accessibility tab
- 3Type your description in the Alt Text field
- 4For decorative images, tick "This object is decorative" instead
Fix in Rise 360
- 1Click the image block to select it
- 2Open the block settings with the gear icon
- 3Type your description in the Alt Text field
- 4Leave blank only if the image is genuinely decorative
Common questions
What is alt text in eLearning?
Alt text is a short written description of an image. Screen readers read it out loud for learners who cannot see the image. WCAG 1.1.1 requires alt text on every meaningful image in your course.
Does Articulate Storyline 360 support alt text?
Yes. You add it through the Size and Position panel under the Accessibility tab. You can also mark images as decorative if they add no meaning.
What makes a good alt text for an eLearning image?
Write what the image means in context, not a literal description of what you see. Keep it under 125 characters. Do not start with "Image of" or "Picture of" — screen readers already announce that it is an image.
Is missing alt text a legal problem?
It can be. In the US, Section 508 covers federal training content. In the EU, the European Accessibility Act applies to digital learning products. In the UK, EN 301 549 sets the standard. Missing alt text on meaningful images fails all of these.
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