This workshop is about describing (online) images to make visual information more accessible. More specifically, it addresses a holistic approach to describing images that includes both pragmatic, factual information of an image as well as expressive, emotional information.

Given the importance of (online) images in our everyday lives, it is essential that the information communicated by such images is accessible to everyone, including people with a visual impairment. Moreover, the Directive on the Accessibility of Public Sector Websites and Mobile Applications, issued by The European Union, requires websites and apps to be accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities. Although existing guidelines (such as WCAG 2.0 and Diagram) are a good step towards standardization of accessibility of visual information, they remain superficial and focus on the core message images convey. In this regard, these guidelines lag behind current trends in Human-Computer Interaction, where the focus has shifted from pragmatic aspects of computer usage towards a more holistic approach focusing on user experience. The current view is that good computer design should not only guarantee usability but should also induce pleasurable experiences.

Translating this view to images, we argue that accessibility guidelines should take user experience into account and that image descriptions should not only convey factual, pragmatic information, but should also include details about the expressive or emotional content, or the atmosphere of images. This is in line with research on user requirements for image descriptions, which shows that 1) aspects such as the underlying sentiment of an image, humour, emotional expressions, etc. are highly inaccessible for people with visual impairments and 2) people with visual impairments express the need for more expressive, emotional content to be included in image descriptions.

In our research project Experience Matters we have analysed the needs of both makers and users of image descriptions. Together with these makers and users we have developed and evaluated a new set of guidelines that focus on both factual, pragmatic information as well as on expressive, emotional information. In this workshop we will share the findings of our research. In addition, participants will practice with the new guidelines, allowing them to create more holistic image descriptions in their own work. We will also have a look at the (im)possibilities of generative AI and the unique role of human describers in creating holistic image descriptions.

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