Complex Image Description Section

[French: Descriptions d'images complexes]

The Complex Image Descriptions section goes at the end of the book, before the Terms of Use section, and it is where you place your complex descriptions.

We create longer, complex descriptions for any image that contains complex information or data. Common examples are Maps, Graphs, Charts and Diagrams. We can also create longer, complex descriptions when we need to transcribe an image, such as an image of a letter. If you are not sure if your image requires a complex description, ask in the Q&A Section.

For images that require more complex or extended descriptions we create two descriptions:

  1. Simple Image Description summarizing the image in Alt-Text Description Box ending with the See the link below the image for an extended description. Note: This can be just one or two sentences, as the Long Description will go into the details.
  2. Long Description in the Complex Image Descriptions Section with links back to the image being described.
You must include a shorter image description in the Alt-text box that compliments the longer description. Remember, all images must have Alt-text.

Creating Section: Headings, Bookmarks and Hyperlinks

First you want to create the main section for these longer descriptions. Do the following: Section title is Complex Image Descriptions. Apply Heading Style 1 to heading. Place the section in the back matter of the book before the Terms of Use section. Below this heading add the following text: Below you will find the complex descriptions for images in the text. Make sure this text is styled as Normal Subheadings for each image description go below this text

False navigation can happen when there is no content between headings (usually normal style text). A screenreader user will think they have missed information. Unfortunately, we are not editors so we can not fix this if it happens in the main book content of the title we are reformatting. But, we do create the Complex Image Descriptions section, so we can avoid this problem by following the above documentation.
Don't forget to include a brief description in the Alt-text box for the image ending with See the link below the image for an extended description.

Setting Up Subsection Headings and Text

You need to set up your headings and the text before you can create the internal navigation.

Add Text Below Image

For the Image:

Example Caption text

Follow this link for an extended description at the end of the book.

Body text of book.

Add Subheadings and Navigation Text for Descriptions

Next you have to add subsection headings for each long description.

Under this subheading insert the image you are describing before the long description. To set an image as decorative:

We enter the images in this section for people who are low vision or have cognitive reading disabilities. We mark them as decorative so the screenreader users do not find an image without Alt-text.

Your complex description goes below the image, and the navigational text to return to the book goes below your description.

Example

Complex Image Descriptions [heading 1]

Below you will find the complex descriptions for images in the text. [Normal]

Description of Map for Number of Cars Registered in 1912 [heading 2] (Image set to decorative)

Map depicting vehicle ownership in Southern Manitoba. The title of the map reads: Number of Cars Registered in 1912. There is a legend that shows red circles of increasing size with a white car icon in the center of the circle. Each circle represents a number of cars. The smallest circle is 1-5, then next size up is 6-10, then 11-25, then 26-100, then 101-1000 then 1001-2025.

The map shows Manitoba with all the major cities and towns labelled with a variety of different sized red circles, mainly over the southern part of the province. The main areas are highlighted as follows: Winnipeg, represented by the circle for 1001-2025 cars, and Brandon, represented by the circle for 101-1000 cars, have the largest circles. Dauphin, Virden, Neepawa, Carberry, Portage La Prairie are represented by the circle for 26-100 cars. Russell, Minnedosa, Gladstone, Souris, Deloraine, Boissevain, Crystal City, Morden, and Winkler are represented by the circle for 6-10 cars. [Normal]

Navigate back to image.[Normal]

Here is a quick tutorial of how to do this.

Now that you have set up the Headings and text you are ready to create the navigation for this section by using the Bookmark and Internal Links features.

First you will need to create your link to the description section.

This will create your link from the image to the correct description sub-heading in the Complex Image Descriptions section.

Next you will need to set up the return link.

First insert a bookmark as an anchor for the return link.

For the Return Link Bookmark:

You must insert the bookmark before you insert the return hyperlink or it will not work.
Make sure to give each bookmark a unique and identifiable name. This will help you keep track if you have multiple bookmarks in a single etext.

If you have any questions ask in the Q and A section.

Now that you have created your bookmark, you are ready to create your return to image link.

For the Return to Image Link:

Here is a quick tutorial showing you how to do this.

You can set your bookmarks to be visible to help you keep track of where they are in your document.

For Window's PC: Open the Options Dialogue box through File>Options and select the Advanced section. Scroll down to the Show Document Content section and make sure Bookmarks is selected. Click OK. You will now see a square bracket beside the location of your bookmark.

For Mac: Open the Words Preferences box through Word>Preferences and select View. Make sure Bookmarks is selected. Close the window. You will now see a square bracket beside the location of your bookmark.

If you ever find you made a mistake and need to delete a bookmark do the following:

On how to write long descriptions go to Complex Images and Long Descriptions.
If you have any questions, post your question on the Production Q&A

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