What Is a Media Alternative?

What Is a Media Alternative?

A media alternative refers to an alternate and equivalent representation of content. This may include a different file format, media type, or content representation. Providing media alternatives to content meets both ADA compliance and universal design principles. For inaccessible content that cannot be remediated or is too complicated in its original format (for example, a visually rich infographic), work with the SME or instructor to find solutions.

Some examples of media alternatives:
  1. Infographics: Word document with the same information in an accessible text format.
  2. Complex Images: Word document with description of the image, context in which it is used, and all essential content portrayed by the image in a text format.
  3. Narrated Presentation (not video): Transcript with references to slide numbers, or transcript for each slide in the notes section for the slide.

    • Related Articles

    • Examples of Multiple Means of Action & Expression

      Overview Offering multiple means of action & expression honors the different ways learners approach the learning process. Each guideline shares considerations for interacting with materials, expressing learning, and strategizing how to meet learning ...

    • Examples of Multiple Means of Representation

      Overview Offering multiple means of representation honors the different ways learners approach content. Each guideline shares considerations for ensuring information is accessible, comprehensible, and encompasses diverse perspectives, along with ...

    • Got Alt Text?

      Overview Writing appropriate alternative text (or alt text) for an image depends on context and function. For Orbis, this requires the help of the SME or instructor in most cases. For a comprehensive explanation and great examples of how to write ...

    • Infographics

      Overview Infographics can be an efficient and engaging way to visually display information when used effectively. Before you create an infographic, review the following considerations to determine if that is the best format and learn how to make the ...

    • External Accessibility Tutorials & Resources

      Overview There is an abundance of general how-to information on creating accessible digital assets available on the web. Rather than having to do your own web search, the resources below have been curated for you from credible sources and compiled ...