Image alt text uses title field instead of dedicated alternative text
Jelle Sebreghts
Images in ResourceSpace are rendered with alt attributes, which is positive from an accessibility perspective. However, the alt text is currently populated using the image's Title field rather than a dedicated alternative text field.
The image's alt attribute would preferably be populated from a dedicated accessibility-focused Alternative Text field, or another configurable metadata field specifically intended for screen reader descriptions. The Title field should not automatically be used as alternative text, as titles are often not descriptive enough to convey the image's content or purpose.
The current implementation reduces accessibility for users relying on screen readers, may result in unhelpful or repetitive alternative text and makes it difficult for content editors to provide meaningful image descriptions that meet accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG).
Suggested Solution
Introduce a dedicated Alternative Text metadata field and use that value for the rendered alt attribute. If no alternative text is provided, consider applying a configurable fallback strategy (e.g. only then fall back to the title) or leaving the attribute empty for decorative images, in line with accessibility best practices.
Dan Huby
Jelle Sebreghts
Dan Huby
It's targetted for 11.1 in October. You can keep an eye on it on the
live roadmap:
https://www.resourcespace.com/roadmap
(item q13770)
Dan
On 12/06/2026 10:30, Jelle Sebreghts wrote:
> That's good news, in what version would the config option be available?
> Op dinsdag 9 juni 2026 om 10:23:36 UTC+2 schreef Dan Huby:
>
> We do have the alt text metadata field in the standard fields now
> and we'll add a new config option to allow that to be used, where
> it's set, instead of the title.
>
> On Monday, 8 June 2026 at 09:19:38 UTC+1 Jelle Sebreghts wrote:
>
> Images in ResourceSpace are rendered with alt attributes, which
> is positive from an accessibility perspective. However, the alt
> text is currently populated using the image's Title field rather
> than a dedicated alternative text field.
>
>
> The image's alt attribute would preferably be populated from a
> dedicated accessibility-focused Alternative Text field, or
> another configurable metadata field specifically intended for
> screen reader descriptions. The Title field should not
> automatically be used as alternative text, as titles are often
> not descriptive enough to convey the image's content or purpose.
>
> The current implementation reduces accessibility for users
> relying on screen readers, may result in unhelpful or repetitive
> alternative text and makes it difficult for content editors to
> provide meaningful image descriptions that meet accessibility
> requirements (e.g., WCAG).
>
> that value for the rendered alt attribute. If no alternative
> text is provided, consider applying a configurable fallback
> strategy (e.g. only then fall back to the title) or leaving the
> attribute empty for decorative images, in line with
> accessibility best practices.
>
> ResourceSpace: Open Source Digital Asset Management
> http://www.resourcespace.com <http://www.resourcespace.com>
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