5709a7858d5c197721be66d5218a79124abadb70
lrnassar
  Tue Mar 17 08:46:31 2026 -0700
Adding alt text to images across static documentation pages, CGI headers, markdown docs, and Pandoc templates. Content images receive AI-generated descriptive alt text; decorative images (icons, spacers, toggles) receive alt="" per WCAG best practice. Also adds Image Descriptions section to the accessibility page, and fixes Pandoc Lua writers to output alt attributes. 67 files, covering help docs, news archive, ENCODE pages, portal pages, and session examples. refs #37254

diff --git src/hg/htdocs/accessibility.html src/hg/htdocs/accessibility.html
index da8d10d8a43..e89e3da1aeb 100755
--- src/hg/htdocs/accessibility.html
+++ src/hg/htdocs/accessibility.html
@@ -89,16 +89,25 @@
 
 <div class="text-center">
   <img src="images/browserInvertedColors.png" alt="An example of the Browser tracks display
 with inverted image colors" width='60%'></div>
 
 <p>
 <b>Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS):</b> Some users have found the <a target="_blank"
 href="https://github.com/belvederef/visual-snow-relief-overlay">Visual Snow Relief Overlay</a> 
 tool useful in reducing symptoms of the visual snow condition. The tool creates a static noise 
 overlay that allows users to interact with the windows and controls underneath the overlay. 
 However, please note the <a target="_blank" 
 href="https://github.com/belvederef/visual-snow-relief-overlay/blob/main/DISCLAIMER.md">
 Medical Disclaimer</a> regarding the use of this tool.</p>
 
 
+<h2>Image Descriptions</h2>
+<p>
+Images throughout our static documentation pages — including help guides, tutorials, the news
+archive, and portal pages — include descriptive alt text for screen reader compatibility.
+When a screen reader encounters an image, it will announce a brief description of the image
+content (e.g., "RepeatMasker track in dense mode showing color-coded repeat classes on a single
+line") rather than the filename. Purely decorative images such as icons and spacers are marked
+to be skipped by screen readers.</p>
+
 <!--#include virtual="$ROOT/inc/gbPageEnd.html" -->