Determining image accessibility with Intelligent Guided Tests

Term: Fall 2026

Date: September 21st, 2026

Time: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Online Only

Instructors: Robert Fentress & Sunayana Mishra

Presented By: Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS)

Description:

This workshop introduces the Images Intelligent Guided Test (IGT), a feature of the axe DevTools Pro browser extension, and its four-part evaluation process: selecting images to test, classifying them as decorative or informative, identifying images of text while accounting for the logo exception, and determining whether alternative text conveys the image’s meaning without unnecessary wording such as “image of.” 

During the workshop, the instructor will use focused examples—including a decorative flourish, a chart, a banner containing text, and an image whose alternative text is only a filename—to demonstrate the decisions required at each step of the wizard. Participants may use the remaining time to begin the homework assignment: completing a full Images IGT on the EcoSphere sustainability practice page and submitting the saved review within one week. 

An optional brownbag lunch will be offered during the following week for questions and additional support. The answer key will be shared after the submission deadline. The workshop concludes with an exploration of how generative AI tools can help remediate issues identified during the IGT review, followed by re-testing the updated page. 


Course Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

1. Complete an Images IGT, including image grouping, decorative-versus-informative classification, identification of images of text, and evaluation of alternative-text accuracy. 

2. Determine when an image should be hidden from assistive technologies with alt="""", when alternative text must convey the information presented visually, and when embedded text should be replaced with real text. 

3. Save and submit an Images IGT review of the practice page, explore generative AI-assisted remediation of identified issues, and re-run the IGT on the updated page.