Every image should have a description to provide the necessary support a tactile user will need to better understand the image they are viewing.
Descriptions should be easy to understand and in plain language. There are three stages to providing a description:
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the title and overview of the image
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a more detailed explanation of the image content
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verbal feedback between the user and the person supporting them, to assist the user to further explore the image for themselves.
A description tells a tactile user what the image is and gives an overview of the page. It then goes on to describe the image in greater detail, allowing the reader to explore it themselves.
Points to consider:
Begin a description saying what the image is, for example "This image shows a zebra." Follow this with an overview of the image, for example "The zebra's head is on the left of the page and its tail is on the right of the page. It is shown from the side with its head turned to face you."
Describe the image following a logical order around the page. For example start from the top-left side of the page. Then work across the centre to the bottom-right side of the page rather than confusing the user by darting around back and forth all over the page.
When describing a map or floor plan, be sure to describe the image rather than giving directions of an actual location by ensuring that the map is correctly orientated. For example, on a building plan of a hotel, if you entered the door so that the reception would be on your left and toilets on the right, it is important that the map is rotated to reflect this layout.
The navigation description's primary purpose is to describe the route around the image so all elements can be found and understood, rather than provide any educational information about the image. Further information can follow once the image is understood. This is particularly important with more complicated tactile diagrams such as some curriculum images. For example, in an image of a chemical experiment the user needs to understand where and what the components are ie he conical flask, the test tube, the Bunsen burner etc. and how they are all connected up before discussing how the experiment works.