May 27, 2026
By Morrison
What Inclusion Really Looks Like Beyond Alt Text, Captions, and American Sign Language
(This post talks about why it is important to include image descriptions and video descriptions and transcripts, and how to go about doing that)
A colleague reached out recently, and another today, asking how to write accurate image and video descriptions. That question prompted me to do this post, because every day I notice social media is full of content that claims to be “accessible” while leaving the DeafBlind community out entirely. Images with no descriptions. Videos with no transcripts and descriptions. Captions on videos often don’t load, aren’t readable, or just haven’t been added. Many don’t realize that the “Alt text” feature is hidden behind a program, coded where many of us can’t access unless we have screen readers and/or braille devices (but guess what, many DeafBlind folks don’t have access to either of these – screen readers or braille devices). And yet, people continue to talk about access as if the work is already done. What irks me more is the assumptions that all DeafBlind folks can use braille or audio descriptions – that’s a myth.
The Deaf community fought hard for captions and ASL interpreters on screen. They advocate for visibility, clarity, and linguistic access, and they should. But that same urgency with care and attention should equally be extended in DeafBlind access. If you’re going to talk about access, you have to practice it, truly incorporate all aspects of this – not just bits and pieces. If you talk about and want equity, you have to include all of us – and that means truly doing the work, not half of it. If you want to speak about accessibility, you have to be accountable for the access you provide, or fail to provide. Too many people are not practicing what they preach, including many who are disability activists and advocates. And too many people also provide inaccurate tips or “how to” on this very topic of digital accessibility, and beyond.
For the DeafBlind community, access doesn’t come from alt text embedded in a platform, where it is buried in code, or captions that assume visual access is for everyone. Many DeafBlind people cannot use screen readers. Many of us cannot rely on audio descriptions. We cannot depend on captions that may or may not appear either. Access has to be built in plain text, visible, tactile‑friendly, copyable, and not hidden behind features we can’t reach. That is not a preference. That is DeafBlind justice.
When you include an image description directly in your post, you’re not just describing a picture. You’re creating a point of entry. You’re acknowledging that someone outside your immediate experience deserves to be part of the conversation, the post on social media. A thoughtful description gives context, identifies who or what is present, and conveys the atmosphere or intention of the image. It doesn’t need to be poetic or long, it needs to be present. Many don’t want to bother with this as they feel this is an extra task to do or don’t have the time… Guess what? Accessibility requires time, but there is good news! There are awesome apps out there readily to be used within the palm of your hands. (Not a paid ad) Check out Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, Envision AI. I personally use Seeing AI. I upload an image for it to provide me with a description of, within a few seconds a detailed description appears. I copy this and paste this within my post (or within the comment of my post if my post exceeds the character limit – if it does, I’ll make a note for folks to know where to find this by directing them to the comment section to find the Image Description).
The same applies to videos. A simple description of who is in the frame, where they are, what they’re doing, and what they’re wearing is enough to ground the content. And transcripts are equally required if there’s a dialogue happening. They are a primary access tool for DeafBlind people to access, read, understand, and engage with information when audio and visuals are not accessible (and they are not – I cannot emphasize this enough). Providing access to a transcript can make a difference between being included and being shut out, and you have that control and accountability to ensure that you do include us with this.
A while back, I made a vlog about this. Here is the transcript:
Video description: Morrison, a DeafBlind person, signs directly to the camera in a neutral‑colored room, wearing a light green hoodie and a hat.
Transcript:
Hi everyone. I wanted to make this vlog because I’m noticing something important, something a lot of organizations and people keep forgetting. They talk and talk about “access,” they post about access, they hype up accessibility… but they forget accountability.
Many people say, “Oh, I added the image description, it’s in the alt text.” Umm… no. Alt text is not accessible for everyone. Alt text is a feature, a program, designed for screen readers and braille displays. That’s it. It’s not designed for DeafBlind people who don’t use screen readers. It’s not designed for people who need the description in the post itself.
Image descriptions typed directly in the post, that is accessible for everyone. Everyone. All.
When organizations or community members post pictures but don’t include image descriptions, and then turn around and preach about access… that tells me they’re not truly thinking about or honestly understanding the full picture of accessibility. They’re not taking accountability for the access they fail to provide.
Let me give an example.
The Deaf community often demands captions. They want ASL interpreters. They want a picture‑in‑picture feature where an ASL interpreter is present on screen. They advocate hard for that, and they should. It’s important. But look at yourselves. So many Deaf community members don’t provide us with access. No image descriptions. No video descriptions. No transcripts. Nothing.
That contradicts the very message you’re putting out there about access and equity. You’re saying, “We deserve access,” but you’re not giving that same access back to the DeafBlind community (and other community members with disabilities).
Think about that.
So here’s the bottom line: if you post pictures or carousels, include image descriptions. If you post videos, include descriptions and transcripts. If you advocate for access, be accountable for the access you provide. This is how we move from performative accessibility to actual equity. This is how we practice DeafBlind justice.
To help with this, a DeafBlind Access Checklist is created to support you in holding that space of accountability when it comes to accessibility.
DeafBlind Access Checklist
A practical guide for creating accessible images, videos, and digital content
This checklist supports anyone committed to practicing real accessibility, not performative gestures, not partial access, but full inclusion that reaches the DeafBlind community. Use it every time you create or share content. When in doubt, reach out or as mentioned here use the AI powered image description apps to help.
1. Image Description Checklist
Write the description directly in the post, not only in alt text. (if you run out of characters in your post to do so, make a note to direct people to the comment to find the ID – image description).
Many DeafBlind people cannot access alt text because it is embedded in code designed for screen readers.
A complete image description includes:
• Context, the purpose or situation behind the image
• Where they are, setting, background, environment
• People and identifiers, who is present, relevant identities, roles
• Key visual details, objects, actions, layout, expressions
• Text in the image, all visible words
• Atmosphere or tone, the feeling or energy conveyed
Quick test:
If someone could not see the image at all or even make sense of it, would they understand what you posted? If not, revise – add the image description.
2. Video Description Checklist
Place the video description in the post (or in comment if out of character within the body of the post, be sure to mention where to find this). Place the video description directly above the transcript.
A clear video description includes:
• Who is in the video, name, role, identity if relevant
• Where they are, setting, background, environment
• What they’re doing, talking, signing, demonstrating, moving
• What they’re wearing, helpful for recognition and context
• Any visual elements, props, slides, graphics, text on screen
Keep it concise, complete, and grounded in what a DeafBlind person would need to understand the visual content.
3. Transcript Checklist
Always include a transcript for any video with speech or signing.
Captions alone are not accessible for many DeafBlind people.
A complete transcript includes:
• All spoken or signed content, word for word
• Speaker identification, who is speaking or signing
• Relevant nonverbal information, pauses, tone, emotional cues when meaningful
• On‑screen text, titles, labels, graphics, captions
• Placement in the post, not hidden in a separate file, link, or inaccessible format
If the video is short, place the transcript directly in the post.
If the video is long, link to a full transcript and include a summary in the comment of the post.
4. Accountability Checklist
Before posting, ask yourself:
• Am I relying on alt text alone, or did I include the description in the post
• Would a DeafBlind person have full access, not partial, not conditional, but full
• Am I practicing the access I advocate for, or am I leaving someone out
• Is my content copyable and reader friendly, plain text, no locked or hidden formats
• Did I include everyone I claim to fight for, or did I stop at the majority
Accessibility with accountability is justice.
5. Quick Reference Templates
Image description template:
Image description:
[ ] Who or what is present,
[ ] Where they are; environmental infomation,
[ ] Key or relevant details,
[ ] Text on image,
[ ] Overall tone.
Video description template:
Video description:
[ ] Person,
[ ] Location,
[ ] What they’re doing,
[ ] What they’re wearing,
[ ] Visual elements.
Transcript header template:
Transcript:
[ ] Speaker name
[ ] Speaks or signs
[ ] “content”
These templates help you to begin, and beginning is often the hardest part. But you got this.
6. The Core Principle
- If you want equity, you must include everyone.
- If you want to talk about accessibility, you must be accountable for the access you provide.
- If you want to advocate for justice, you must practice it in your content.
This checklist helps you do exactly that.
There you have it.
Morrison’s Space: A DeafBlind Activist 
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