Abbreviations & Acronyms

When writing alt text, abbreviations or acronyms may be used; however, ensure: 

1. The user has been exposed to the expanded form within the text. 
2. Place spaces between the letters so the screen reader announces the individual letters as opposed to pronouncing the letters as a word. 
   For example, the abbreviation for Attention Deficit Disorder is ADD. Within alt text, spaces should be added between the letters so the screen reader does not announce the word “add” but announces the letters “A D D”. 
   
3. For apronyms, acronyms whose letters spell a meaningful word, such as: 
   NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
   SCUBA = Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus 
   GIF = Graphics Interchange Format 
   Do not place a space between the letters so the screen reader pronounces the apronyms as a word. 

Dated: 2023-12-01