{"id":89257,"date":"2023-11-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allyant.com\/?p=89257"},"modified":"2026-05-14T04:20:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:20:17","slug":"can-screen-readers-read-images-text-on-images","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allyant.com\/blog\/can-screen-readers-read-images-text-on-images\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Screen Readers Read Images?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A screen reader can read or access an image only through the image\u2019s alternative text (alt text). If an image contains text, a screen reader can only read the text if it’s mentioned in the alt text too.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is essential to recognize that people with vision impairments use the internet differently than those who are sighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, when a sighted person views the contents of a PDF document, they simply open it and access the content visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, assistive technologies such as screen readers are often necessary for those with vision impairments to access the same information. These tools help to make the internet more accessible for everyone, regardless of their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a PDF document is not accessible, assistive technology such as screen readers won’t be able to read its content. Although screen readers can open and read the content of a PDF document aloud, it is essential to ensure that the PDF is accessible for assistive technology to function correctly and read out the PDF the way it\u2019s meant to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can screen readers read images?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Screen readers generally cannot directly “read” images like they can with text.<\/strong> A sighted user can access the content of an image by simply looking at it, but a screen reader accesses the image only through the alternative text (alt text) or descriptions provided for images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alt text is added to the HTML code of a web page or document, and it provides a textual description of the image’s content or function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a screen reader encounters an image with alt text, it reads the alt text aloud to the user, allowing them to understand the image’s purpose or content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But alt text of an image doesn\u2019t just contribute to making the image accessible; it also offers two significant benefits: <\/p>\n\n\n\n