Digital Accessibility / en Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant /news/2025-09/helping-older-adults-embrace-ai-and-emerging-technologies-national-science-foundation <span>Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant</span> <span><span>Taylor Thomas</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-09-26T12:08:43-04:00" title="Friday, September 26, 2025 - 12:08">Fri, 09/26/2025 - 12:08</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into our lives, older adults are being left behind. Poor digital literacy is more than being unable to use social media. It increases the risk of poor health outcomes as it may exclude anyone, especially older adults, from finding and using information that sustains and promotes health. With a highly competitive grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), digital technologies researcher, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW207599523 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/yhong22" target="_blank"><span class="SCXW207599523 BCX0 TextRun Underlined NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">Y. Alicia Hong</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">, is helping older adults keep pace with evolving technology and setting them up for success in the future.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2022-02/Hong-Alicia-200.jpeg" width="200" height="280" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Y. Alicia Hong. <em>Photo provided</em></figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Our project equips older adults to adapt to emerging technologies, such as AI, and become more resilient in a rapidly changing digital landscape,” said Hong, professor in 鶹Ƶ’s Department of Health Administration and Policy.&nbsp; </span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">From online banking to electronic health records like MyChart, people need to interact with digital technology on a daily basis. Hong’s project will incorporate youth, who are more adept with technology, to aid older adults’ skill-building. At senior centers, a youth and an older adult will walk through scenes where they may encounter AI technology. A web platform will guide them to collaboratively develop a digital life story with realistic scenarios with support from AI tools.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">"The project seeks to strengthen AI literacy, social connectedness, and resilience among older adults while cultivating responsible AI awareness in youth," Hong said.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Hong will co-design the web-based platform that facilitates intergenerational engagement between youth and older adults in narrative-style storytelling to improve their understanding of digital technologies and AI. They will use multiple AI-based tools, including ChatGPT for script generation, Runway ML for image creation, Eleven Labs for audio, and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Descript</span><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> for editing.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Hong will work alongside the project’s PI, Dr. </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW207599523 BCX0" href="https://www.wm.edu/as/computerscience/people/zhang_janice.php" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Yixuan (Janice) Zhang</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at College of William &amp; Mary. Collaboration with a computer scientist will ensure refined evaluations of usability, accessibility, and participants’ ability to use the web-based platform independently, while also taking into consideration cultural sensitivity. Their interprofessional, intercollegiate partnership will optimize resource allocation and program performance.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“We aim to deliver a community-based model for AI literacy that helps older adults confidently and safely use AI, strengthens intergenerational bonds by positioning youth as tech partners, and gives community-based organizations a practical toolkit they can sustain after the grant,” said Zhang, co-PI with Hong. “The award converts a co-designed concept into a tested, transferable, and sustainable platform and program to enhance AI literacy among older adults.”&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“The project will inform future programs aimed at underserved groups and foster more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful engagement with emerging technologies,” said Hong.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">NSF grants are awarded to researchers whose projects have demonstrated the capacity for advancing research and education across science and engineering. The project entitled </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Enhancing AI Literacy and Resilience through Intergenerational Digital Storytelling among Older Adults”</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> is a three-year, $661,478 grant.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW207599523 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW207599523 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">As a digital health behavioral interventionist, Hong studies the intersection of health services delivery and consumer informatics. Her work explores chronic care and self-care solutions through innovative digital technologies to improve patient-centered outcomes and enhance health care accessibility. Hong’s research focuses on implementation and dissemination science and leveraging digital technologies to enhance health services delivery.</span><span class="EOP SCXW207599523 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="f5454092-a23c-4557-b4b4-670275232784"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/AI"> <p class="cta__title">Powering Artificial Intelligence at George 鶹Ƶ <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="c3a0ca05-e506-4538-bc31-a5fbcfb72dc5" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="8d05ffe0-6d0d-4889-b8da-73de910f38df" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Stories</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-254f595655c7e92f8b322927ebb6a82f5e4e47994cff1d36aabe3c3ae146cdc9"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/arctic-resilience-nsf-george-mason-university-and-collaborators-seek-solutions-future" hreflang="en">Arctic Resilience: NSF, 鶹Ƶ, and collaborators seek solutions for the future </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 7, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/helping-older-adults-embrace-ai-and-emerging-technologies-national-science-foundation" hreflang="en">Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 26, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2023-09/cyber-cyclists-count-calories-adaptive-virtual-workouts" hreflang="en">Cyber cyclists count calories with adaptive virtual workouts </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 19, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/nsf-grant-supports-nanofabrication-workforce-training" hreflang="en">NSF grant supports nanofabrication workforce training</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 14, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/george-masons-chief-information-security-officer-protects-keys-kingdom" hreflang="en">George 鶹Ƶ’s Chief Information Security Officer protects the keys to the kingdom</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 4, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11991" hreflang="en">Older Adults</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11321" hreflang="en">Young Adults</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20441" hreflang="en">Digital Accessibility</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4656" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6771" hreflang="en">HAP Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1161" hreflang="en">National Science Foundation</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:08:43 +0000 Taylor Thomas 343506 at How to...Add Alt Text to Images /news/2021-12/how-toadd-alt-text-images <span>How to...Add Alt Text to Images</span> <span><span>Kelly Hansen</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-12-13T16:51:40-05:00" title="Monday, December 13, 2021 - 16:51">Mon, 12/13/2021 - 16:51</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">鶹Ƶ is committed to ensuring an inclusive digital experience. One essential practice to maintain accessibility is adding descriptive alt text to images.</span></p> <h4>What is Alt Text?</h4> <p>Alt text, or alternative text, is a brief description of an image that allows screen readers to convey the image’s content to users with visual impairments. It ensures that images are accessible to everyone, providing essential context for those who cannot see them. Alt text also improves SEO, as search engines favor pages that provide meaningful alt text for images.</p> <h4>Best Practices for Writing Alt Text</h4> <ul> <li><strong>Be specific and relevant:</strong> Focus on what the image represents and its function within the content.</li> <li><strong>Be concise:</strong> Keep descriptions short but informative. Avoid overly detailed or redundant explanations.</li> <li><strong>Describe the purpose:</strong> If the image contains information not provided elsewhere, include that key information in the alt text.</li> <li><strong>Use context-appropriate language:</strong> Tailor the description to fit the surrounding content, avoiding technical jargon or irrelevant details.</li> <li><strong>Handle decorative images appropriately:</strong> If an image is purely decorative and doesn't add to the content, use null alt text (alt="") to signal screen readers to skip the image.</li> </ul> <h4>Example of Alt Text in Action:</h4> <ul> <li>For a photo of a tree: “A large oak tree with green leaves in summer.”</li> <li>For a chart: “A bar chart comparing enrollment data from 2022 and 2023, showing a 15% increase in enrollment.”</li> <li>For decorative images: Use empty alt text (alt="").</li> </ul> <h4>Site鶹Ƶry CMS – How to Add Alt Text to Images</h4> <p>Site鶹Ƶry offers two main ways to add images: via the Featured Image block and by embedding images into a Text Block. Adding alt text ensures that images remain accessible and compliant with accessibility standards.</p> <h4>Adding Alt Text to a Featured Image</h4> <p>Featured images automatically prompt for alt text upon upload.</p> <ol> <li>Navigate to your page and select the Featured Image block.</li> <li>Upload your image and enter a brief, descriptive alt text.</li> <li>Click Save to finalize.</li> </ol> <h4>Adding Alt Text to an Embedded Image</h4> <p>Embedded images require manual entry of alt text.</p> <ol> <li>Place your cursor in the text block where the image should appear.</li> <li>Use the Insert Media icon to upload or select an image.</li> <li>After inserting, click the Edit Media icon on the image.</li> <li>Add a descriptive alt text, then select alignment and size if needed.</li> <li>Click Save to apply the changes.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="align-center" style="min-width: 50%;"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-video-embed-field field--type-video-embed-field field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3B4PZQcdVns?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="cf35e381-9a7f-4cd0-9206-63558650d698" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <h2>Additional Resources</h2> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><ul> <li><a href="https://www.section508.gov/create/alternative-text/" title="Section508.gov - Article - Content Creation Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text ">Section508.gov - Article - Authoring Meaningful Alternative Text</a></li> <li><a href="https://ati.gmu.edu/web-accessibility/ictaccessibilitystandards/creating-accessible-images/" title="ATI.gmu.edu - Article - Creating Accessible Images">ATI.gmu.edu - Article - Creating Accessible Images</a></li> <li><a href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/alt-text" target="_blank" title="Moz.com - Article - Descriptive Alt Text Boosts SEO">Moz.com - Article - Descriptive Alt Text Boosts SEO</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="46f4adf4-487d-4125-b033-f805592a28ef" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Tutorials</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-2cbfc71f3eb83893bac05c3dce8af69bb1b05fc5d8d17a9f73dbe0219205977d"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/helping-older-adults-embrace-ai-and-emerging-technologies-national-science-foundation" hreflang="en">Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 26, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2021-12/how-toadd-alt-text-images" hreflang="en">How to...Add Alt Text to Images</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 25, 2024</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="969dd210-65c7-49b1-bff0-a6de1d9ff945" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14566" hreflang="en">Image Management Tutorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14571" hreflang="en">Accessibility Tutorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14576" hreflang="en">Best Practices Tutorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11526" hreflang="en">Content Hub</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16251" hreflang="en">Site鶹Ƶry Tutorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6926" hreflang="en">Site鶹Ƶry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20441" hreflang="en">Digital Accessibility</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:51:40 +0000 Kelly Hansen 64041 at