As you create newsletters and emails in the DotDigital email platform, use the following practices to help ensure accessibility and usability for everyone, including people who use adaptive technology such as screen readers.

Add Alternative Text to Every Single Image

• To add alternative text, click on the picture and select “Image Title” from the menu. Alt text should be under 140 characters and should provide a clear description of what is in the image.

Graphics that Incorporate Text and Images are Generally Not Allowed in DotDigital

This includes invitations, flyers, infographics, PDFs and more. These images do not meet accessibility guidelines, and they do not adjust dynamically on mobile devices.

There are limited exceptions for graphics.

• Graphics with combined image and text are only allowed if they have minimal text. For example – a header with a picture of Memorial Union in the background and the name of the newsletter. All text in the graphics must be included in the alternative text.
• If content providers send you graphics that don’t meet these guidelines, please ask them to separate the pictures from the text.  You can then add the different components in the relevant content boxes in the DotDigital editor.
• When in doubt, contact Digital Service for guidance.