Journal Author Guide to Alt Text for Images

This guide provides detailed instructions for authors regarding the creation and review of alt text for images in journal articles. It defines alt text as a textual description that conveys the visual content and function of an image, ensuring accessibility for readers using assistive technology. The document outlines the legal requirements for alt text, emphasizing its necessity for publication by Elsevier. It explains the roles of short and long descriptions, detailing how they complement figure captions to provide a comprehensive understanding of images. The guide includes a checklist for authors to proofread alt text, ensuring it is accurate, complete, relevant, and clear. Additionally, it describes the proofing tool that authors will use to review image descriptions. The document also provides examples of how short and long alt text function together with figure captions to enhance accessibility and understanding of visual content.