======Skin Tone, Gender, and Age======

Only describe Skin Tone, Gender and/or Age if it is important for the reader to know in the context of the image. 

<note>This is an extra detail and does not go into the first sentence of the image. The first sentence summarizes the image, and each additional sentence drills down to more detail. Go to the section ''Write with a Clear Structure'' on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:general_guidelines|General Guidelines page]] for more information on how to structure you description.
</note>
=====Skin Tone=====

We as humans tend to shy away from discussing ethnicity, race, gender, disability, and age for fear that we would misjudge and use the wrong language. Remember, that whether you want to or not, you can immediately see these characteristics when you look at a photo. This is information that people with print disabilities should get as well so that readers can make their own interpretations.

In order to be objective, we suggest using the following terminology to describe skin tone:

  * Light Skin Tone
  * Medium-Light Skin Tone
  * Medium Skin Tone
  * Medium-Dark Skin Tone
  * Dark Skin Tone

This is the same system that is used to label emojis with different skin tones. You can also use terms such as Black, White, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc. but only if it can be determined in the surrounding text.

{{ :public:nnels:etext:images:emoji_skin-tones.png?400 |}}
The above image is a good visual guide to help you see the difference. Starting from the left it goes from light, to medium-light, to medium, to medium-dark, to dark. Remember if it is clear in the book what ethnicity they are you can use it, but only if it is clearly stated.

<note>This technique is based off of the emoji system. So someone with light skin would be pale (or white), someone with medium-light would be light brown/golden skin tone, and then it gets deeper brown as you go down the list. If the person is clearly identifiable as a light skin tone (i.e. white) with a tan, do not describe them as medium-light or medium skin tone. Describe them as having ''a light skin tone with a tan''. When in doubt ask on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:alt-text_q_a|Alt-text Q&A]]</note>

<note>If it is a book that clearly has all one skin tone, for example a book about Russians and everyone is white, you can put in a [[public:nnels:etext:producers-note|Producer's Note]] that states that everyone photographed in the book has a light skin tone unless otherwise stated (or whatever skin tone applies). If there is a variation, then describe the variation. This should help cut down on some repetition</note>

<note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:alt-text_q_a|Alt-Text Q&A]]</note>

=====Gender=====

You can identify the subject as male or female, man or woman, only if it can be clearly identified. Try to describe the physical characteristics and avoid using the terms “masculine” or “feminine” since it is more interpretive than descriptive. There is a delicate balance to strike between inclusive language and robust description; do your best, and ask for opinions from others if you need to.

<note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:alt-text_q_a|Alt-Text Q&A]]</note>

=====Age=====

Avoid using general terms such as ''child'' or ''adult'' these are far to general to give a succinct description of the person in the image you are describing.

Avoid describing age by prescribing a number or the and exact decade because someone could appear young, but actually is in their fifties. Instead, begin you description using the term ''appears''. For example, ''the man appears to be middle-aged in his forties or fifties''.

Terms you can use include:
  * baby
  * toddler
  * early elementary age
  * pre-teen
  * teen or teenager
  * young adult in their twenties or thirties
  * middle-aged, middle-aged in their forties or fifties
  * older adult in their fifties or sixties
  * Senior (if they appear older than 65)

<note>If it explicitly said in the surrounding text how old they are, you do not have to describe their age.</note>

<note>We get a lot of biographies that show the same person across their life span. You only have to describe their age if it changes from one image to another.</note>


<note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:alt-text_q_a|Alt-Text Q&A]]</note>


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