Alt-text is what makes digital images accessible to blind and low-vision internet users. In alt-text, visual information is translated into a verbal description, usually stored as an image caption. Alt-text is an important consideration for anyone who puts pictures online-whether on social media, in teaching materials or on websites. It also a site for experimentation and creativity: a place, potentially, for poetry.

In this workshop, join Dr Sarah Hayden to explore the ideas developed by artists Bojana Coklyat and Shannon Finnegan in their ongoing Alt-Text as Poetry project.

You will learn about the access functions of alt-text, discuss some ongoing debates, and experiment with writing poetic, accessible alt-text. Moving through a sequence of enjoyable, stimulating exercises, you will produce individual and collaborative descriptions image-descriptions that test and stretch the limits of alt-text as poetry.

This event is connected to the Voices in the Gallery project: www.voicesinthegallery.com

Live captioning will be provided for this event.

No experience or expertise is required to take part.

Exploring Alt-Text as Poetry is open to anyone interested in thinking openly, creatively and inclusively about digital accessibility.

The workshop will take place in Zoom, but registration is required to access the exclusive URL and receive the joining instructions in the event reminders.

This event is organised by Dr Sarah Hayden and is taking place as part of the celebrations for UK Disability History Month, 18th November - 18th December 2021, following Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival.

Please contact the event organiser directly by emailing S.Hayden@soton.ac.uk if you have any questions regarding the event you are booking.

Visit www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/DHM to find out more.

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