Hannah Kolbeck 🏳️‍⚧️ / is on Nostr

Founder, Alt-Text.org. Trans. Disabled. Anarchist.

Stay Kind

(she/her)

Bio pic: Me in a lofi girl costume, scribbling in a notebook, with my black cat rolling on her back

Header: "Alt-Text.org", white on a library green.

Last Notes

2024-06-11 22:07:14

People considering themselves accessibility advocates are working to spread the usage of AI for writing alt text, especially on social media intentionally or not. I have seen that I understand the issues with AI here much more deeply than most and want to create a relatively short writeup that hopefully gives them pause
My brain cancer has removed my ability to write organized text and I hope to find a Visually Impaired co-author with their own words. Please DM or email hannah@alt-text.org

2024-05-06 20:44:22

I posted about brain cancer and hope to find people to pick up the torch on my accessibility projects that I think could help make the web better. I have a major surgery May 29th and time is short. I will only become less able.
Summaries and links can be found here: https://github.com/alt-text-org/in-need-of-adoption
I'm happy to answer any questions, or just discuss things, but I do ask that kind words on cancer not be posted here, despite my appreciation for them.
Boosts and sharing elsewhere appreciated.
💜 Hannah

2024-05-01 06:29:38

Hi friends,
The http://alt-text.org alt text library project needs a new leader, because I have brain cancer.
I would like to connect with the #accessibility dev community, something I have never figured out, probably in part for neurodivergence reasons. I want to hand the project off to a team or a leader if anyone is willing to take it over.
Github: https://github.com/alt-text-org
WIP MVP: a site designed for writing alt text with a private library: https://my.alt-text.org
Boosts appreciated

2023-07-27 18:26:36

Does this seem useful over just a site zoom? I'm using alt+mouse wheel to alter the font size and height on a single element, including paragraphs and headers. Forgive the WIP dark mode.
https://cdn.masto.host/socialalttextorg/media_attachments/files/110/787/435/454/916/685/original/f97fe741b18ff213.mp4

2023-07-22 21:29:23

A major medium term goal for https://my-alt-text-org.glitch.me: Browser extensions.
- Use your archive in-page anywhere on the web
- Store images alongside their alt text, searchable by that alt text
- Direct insertion into social media composers with the click of a button where possible.
The long term goal is also exciting: The ability to share alt text
- Find an image without it? Search the shared archive
- Find an undescribed image getting traffic? Add #AltText
#A11y #Accessibility #Disability

2023-07-20 00:32:40

- reply

The site is static, and no data leaves your computer.

2023-07-20 00:32:04

If I was working on a site to help build alt text, do you have logo ideas?
- Archive of all the text you make in it, searchable by text or image
- OCR with in-page cropping, support for 40+ languages including non-latin alphabets
- User-controlled extracted text cleanup, including support for arbitrary search/replaces, regex supported
- Splitting to fit max len, with dynamic editing and addtl localized images available
- Page localization support
- Other ideas welcome
It's at about 90% of an ⍺

2023-07-19 00:26:14

Pre-burnout I was a leader, but the nature of my primary #disability since burnout is executive dysfunction. I cannot lead alone, and as an anarchist I have no desire to. If you have an interest in helping me move the https://alt-text.org project forward, let's chat. I can be reached here or hannah@alt-text.org

2023-07-19 00:10:42

Anyone who thinks #AI is the answer for #AltText can check out my profile pic and then come back with any questions.
#Accessibility #A11y

2023-07-18 00:07:17

When the birdsite killed the last of my bots, I was sad and furious, but also resigned. I said then that I was going to close my Patreon.
What I didn't anticipate is my passion for the https://alt-text.org project being reignited, and finally finding a few incredible folks who've stepped up to help.
I survive in a thin safety net, barely making rent most months, and I could use some help to let me focus on the project more freely.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/86254684?pr=true

2023-07-12 17:43:46

The #AltText and broader #Accessibility community has stepped up in a big way, and we've reached a good place to start on next steps for https://alt-text.org
We're still looking to connect with folks who might want to help in the future, especially those who can help us test the accessibility and usability of the project for those who rely on alt text.
Everyone can help by boosting, and following to get updates.
#Disability #Disabled

2023-07-12 01:23:44

The https://alt-text.org project is moving forward as folks from the community step up. We're still hoping to find someone with firsthand experience in browsing the web relying on alt text to join us.
A major impediment is funding, because we want to make sure they're paid. We're looking for funding, but it's early.
If you're interested in the project but only if paid, drop me a line, let's talk. I can be reached here or at hannah@alt-text.org
Boosts appreciated.
#AltText #Accessibility

2023-07-08 21:39:25

Something that the growing community around alt text needs to keep in mind is that everything MUST center the people who rely on it.
My goal is to put the https://alt-text.org project under their control as much as I possibly can. I'm here in part looking for folks interested in positions of leadership. A primary goal of seeking funding is paying for that leadership. If you're interested, reply here or email hannah@alt-text.org
#Accessibility #AltText #Disability

2023-07-07 21:03:51

I'm on Mastodon primarily to connect with other #Disabled folks and accomplices who care about #Accessibility. I want to build a library for #AltText, and I have a proof-of-concept, but the next steps are going to need community support and input.
For more details: https://alt-text.org

2023-07-07 18:42:52

Hello, I'm here to seek out a community of other Disabled people and accomplices.
I'm working to build a non-profit tool to make alt text easier, and I want to connect with folks who can help guide that project toward a useful start.
I've built a proof of concept, but getting it further will take building community. I'm Autistic, and networking does not come easy to me. Boosting this is an immense help.
More information at https://alt-text.org