AUX 101 | Module 6 | Chapter 3
Sidebar Captioned Media
Learn about captioned media, which can give context to an image or video.
Captioned media is a component that allows you to provide context to an image or video. Captioned media allows you to display a caption and/or a citation.
About Sidebar Components
Sidebar components can be used with custom content or on their own beneath a sidebar menu or in-page navigation.
Usage Guidance
Captions are a great way to add context to a piece of media. Captions can be confused with image descriptions (alt text) or citations. Use these rules of thumb to remember the difference between each:
- Captions give context to a piece of content. Information in a caption is available to sighted users and screen readers.
- Image Descriptions / Alt Text describe what you can visually see in an image, and are typically only interacted with by screen readers. Alt text also displays when an image doesn’t load on a page, such as when you have a low internet connection. Alt text is meant to be a textual alternative for people who cannot see (for whatever reason) the image itself.
- Citations give credit to whoever created a piece of media.
Example
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Image |  |
| Caption | Reveille, the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets, leads the Corps’ procession with her handler, Theodor Neal, the 2023-2024 Mascot Corporal. |
| Image Description / Alt Text | Texas A&M University mascot Reveille leads the Corps of Cadets marching through campus. |
| Citation | Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications |