{"id":38923,"date":"2026-01-21T17:08:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stm-assoc.org\/?p=38923"},"modified":"2026-03-12T12:07:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T12:07:49","slug":"stm-unveils-draft-alt-text-taxonomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stm-assoc.org\/stm-unveils-draft-alt-text-taxonomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Making scholarly images more accessible: STM\u2019s draft taxonomy now open for feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

The STM Alt Text Task & Finish Group (TFG) has released a draft image-type taxonomy for scholarly images \u2014 and\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0inviting your feedback.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This draft is the result of a collaborative effort by STM members to support accessible publishing, with a focus on helping authors and publishers write better image descriptions (alt text). Not only does it help prepare for the upcoming\u00a0<\/span>ADA Title II update<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(coming into effect April 2026),\u00a0it\u00a0also supports our shared goal of making scholarly content more inclusive and available to all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Why\u00a0<\/span>a taxonomy<\/span><\/strong>?<\/strong> Because alt text\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0one-size-fits-all. Describing a chart requires different guidance than a medical scan, photograph, or diagram. The taxonomy provides 15 top-level categories \u2014 each with definitions, guidance, examples, and subcategories \u2014 to help\u00a0<\/span>identify<\/span>\u00a0image types and write effective descriptions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The TFG<\/a>, formed in early 2025 through STM\u2019s Standards & Technology Committee, includes accessibility experts and publishing professionals from across the US, UK, and Europe. The group has met monthly to build consensus and develop practical tools for our community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Download the draft taxonomy here<\/a><\/p>\n

Explore the interactive tool that complements the taxonomy<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The STM Alt Text Task & Finish Group (TFG) has released a draft image-type taxonomy for scholarly images \u2014 and\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0inviting your feedback.\u00a0 This draft is the result of a collaborative effort by STM members to support accessible publishing, with a focus on helping authors and publishers write better image descriptions (alt text). Not only does…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75,68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements","category-standards-tech"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaking scholarly images more accessible: STM\u2019s draft taxonomy now open for feedback - STM Association<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stm-assoc.org\/stm-unveils-draft-alt-text-taxonomy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Making scholarly images more accessible: STM\u2019s draft taxonomy now open for feedback - STM Association\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The STM Alt Text Task & Finish Group (TFG) has released a draft image-type taxonomy for scholarly images \u2014 and\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0inviting your feedback.\u00a0 This draft is the result of a collaborative effort by STM members to support accessible publishing, with a focus on helping authors and publishers write better image descriptions (alt text). 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