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Making Social Media Accessible

Image credit: Derivative based on a photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

Originally appeared in LinkedIn AccessABILITY

With the introduction and proliferation of social media, we now have the ability to connect with friends, family, and connections all across the world. For some this opportunity for connection makes it an essential part of our everyday lives. But it's important that we consider how our contributions will be viewed and used by people with disabilities when we offer our ideas, insights, and content on these platforms. The process of creating social media posts and materials that offer an inclusive experience to all users is known as social media accessibility.

Alt Text

In my earlier piece, “Beyond a Pretty Picture”, I discussed alt text (alternative text). The significance mentioned there also applies to social media. Using alt text for photos is one of the most important components of social media postings that are accessible. A written description of an image that can be read by screen readers is known as alt text, and it helps people who are blind or have low vision comprehend what is in the image. When uploading or posting images, social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter allow users to add alt text to their photos.

For instance, when submitting a picture to Twitter, you can add alt text by selecting the "Add Description" link. To add alt text to an image on Facebook, upload it first, then click "Edit" and choose "Alt Text." Instagram and LinkedIn also offer similar features for adding alt text to images that are uploaded.

It's important to keep in mind that while creating alt text, it should include a succinct but detailed description of the image's content, making sure that people who are blind or visually impaired might better understand the context or message the image is trying to convey. Effective alt text communicates the key information about the image and gives a clear explanation of it. If you need to "set the mood," then go ahead and do it.

Font Choices and Readability

It’s important to be cognizant of the fonts being used, as well as any text formatting. Certain font styles and sizes can be challenging to read, especially for individuals with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities. It's recommended to use simple, sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Verdana) and avoid overly stylized or decorative fonts.

Write in plain language. Technical language and jargon may make your posts inaccessible to those unfamiliar with your industry, non-native speakers, or people who experience cognitive impairments. You should avoid run-on sentences using short, clear sentences to more clearly present your message. Avoid using all caps in alt text. Words are harder to identify by shape in all caps and screen readers may read them as acronyms instead of words.

Special Characters

Special characters are those that represent something other than a number or a letter. Common examples are punctuation, like an exclamation point (“!”) or question mark (“?”) to the often-maligned ampersand (“&”).

You should take care to use special characters correctly, and in moderation. While special characters can make content stand out and differentiate your post from the rest, they may adversely affect the accessibility of your post. As noted above, special characters are important for punctuation and proper grammar. However, when used incorrectly or for decorative purposes they can make the content harder to read.

Screen readers read what’s on the screen (or in the code) but are designed to not read all special characters aloud. For instance, most screen readers will pause slightly for commas and longer for periods. Too many special characters in your text can result in a confusing experience for people using screen readers.

Color Contrast and Visual Accessibility

Color contrast plays a large role in ensuring visual accessibility for all users, not just individuals with color blindness or low vision. Like any other content created for the web, when creating social media posts, it's important to use color combinations that provide sufficient contrast between text and adjacent background colors.

In my previous post, “Color Contrast for an Accessible Web”, I covered a number of principles about, and techniques for testing and adjusting color contrast. Some social platforms offer built-in tools or browser extensions that can help you check the color contrast of your posts.

Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook also provide accessibility settings that allow users to adjust the display of text and background colors according to their preferences.

Captions and Transcripts for Video Content

If you plan to share video content on the web, not to mention social media, it's important that you provide captions or transcripts to ensure accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Most social media platforms offer built-in captioning tools or allow you to upload caption files alongside your videos.

On Facebook, you can add captions to a video to make it accessible to a broader audience using the SubRip (.srt) file format. Instagram also supports automatic captions for videos, which can be toggled on or off by viewers. Be wary when a platform offers automatic captioning, as there is typically no validation process in place. Ensure that you review and adjust any automatic captions.

Audio Descriptions for Visual Content

In addition to captions for video content, it's also essential to consider audio descriptions for visual content, such as images or graphics. Audio descriptions provide a verbal explanation of the visual elements, helping individuals who are blind or have low vision understand the content more effectively.

While social media platforms may not have built-in audio description features, you can include audio descriptions in the caption or accompanying text when sharing visual content.

Many social media platforms have implemented accessibility features to enhance the user experience for individuals with disabilities. Here are a few examples:

1. Facebook Accessibility: Facebook offers various accessibility features, including screen reader support, high-contrast mode, and keyboard navigation. Additionally, Facebook provides guidelines for creating accessible content, such as using descriptive link text and avoiding flashing or blinking elements.
2. Instagram Accessibility: Instagram has introduced automatic alternative text for images, which uses object recognition technology to generate descriptions for images. Users can also manually add alt text to their images. Instagram also supports screen readers and keyboard navigation.
3. LinkedIn Accessibility: LinkedIn provides accessibility features like screen reader support, high-contrast mode, and keyboard navigation. The platform also offers guidelines for creating accessible content, including using appropriate heading structures and providing text alternatives for non-text content.
4. X (Twitter) Accessibility: X supports accessibility features like alt text for images, captions for videos, and keyboard navigation. The platform also offers a high-contrast mode and the ability to increase font sizes for better readability.

By understanding and implementing these accessibility best practices, we can create more inclusive social media experiences for individuals with disabilities. Remember, accessibility is not just a checkbox; it's an ongoing commitment to ensuring that our online content and interactions are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.