How to Make Your Social Media Accessible

/ Sanyam

 Social media is a vital component of our lives in the current digital era. It provides a venue for marketing, entertainment, communication, and much more. But not everyone has easy access to social media content. It’s critical to make social media accessible to everyone, including those with impairments, in order to promote inclusivity. This blog will walk you through the process of making your social media accessible, with an emphasis on language, visual material, and the user experience as a whole.

Understanding Accessibility

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility refers to designing products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities. When we talk about social media accessibility, we’re focusing on making content accessible to people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical impairments.

Why is Accessibility Important?

  1. Inclusivity: Ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and enjoy your content.
  2. Legal Requirements: Many countries have laws and regulations requiring digital accessibility.
  3. Broader Audience: Accessible content can reach a wider audience, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with temporary impairments.
  4. Better User Experience: Accessibility often improves the overall user experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities.

Steps to Make Your Social Media Accessible

1. Use Alt Text for Images

Alt text (alternative text) is a brief description of an image that can be read by screen readers, helping visually impaired users understand what the image depicts.

How to Write Effective Alt Text:

  • Be Descriptive: Clearly describe what the image shows.
  • Keep it Concise: Aim for a concise yet informative description.
  • Avoid Redundancy: Don’t use phrases like “image of” or “picture of.”

Example: For instance, write “A vibrant sunset over the ocean with orange and pink hues” in place of “Image of a sunset.” 

2. Provide Transcripts and Captions for Videos

Videos are a significant part of social media content, but they can be inaccessible to people with hearing impairments without captions or transcripts.

How to Implement Captions:

  • Automatic Captions: Platforms like YouTube and Facebook offer automatic captioning. However, always review and edit for accuracy.
  • Manual Captions: Manually adding captions ensures accuracy and can be done using video editing software.

Benefits of Transcripts:

  • Searchable Content: Transcripts make video content searchable.
  • Enhanced Accessibility: Users who cannot watch the video due to hearing impairments or noisy environments can still access the content.

3. Use Accessible Colour Schemes

Color plays a significant role in social media content, but it can pose challenges for people with colour blindness or low vision.

Best Practices for Colour Accessibility:

  • High Contrast: Ensure a high contrast between text and background colours.
  • Colour Blindness Considerations: Avoid relying solely on colour to convey information. Use patterns or text labels as well.
  • Testing Tools: Use tools like the Colour Contrast Checker to test your colour schemes for accessibility.

4. Structure Your Content with Headings and Lists

Properly structured content makes it easier for screen readers to navigate and understand your posts.

Tips for Structuring Content:

  • Headings: Use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to organise content logically.
  • Lists: Use bullet points or numbered lists for clarity and ease of reading.

5. Use Descriptive Links

Descriptive links help users understand the purpose of the link without needing additional context.

How to Create Descriptive Links:

  • Clear Language: Use clear and descriptive language for link text.
  • Steer Clear of Generic Text: Steer clear of utilising phrases like “click here” or “read more.”

Example: Instead of writing “Click here for more information,” write “Learn more about our accessibility initiatives.”

6. Provide Keyboard Navigation

Some users rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. Ensuring your social media content is keyboard navigable is crucial.

How to Ensure Keyboard Accessibility:

  • Test Navigation: Regularly test your social media pages to ensure all interactive elements can be accessed and operated via keyboard.
  • Focus Indicators: Ensure focus indicators are visible to highlight which element is currently selected.

7. Use Simple and Clear Language

Using clear and straightforward language makes your content more accessible to everyone, including people with cognitive disabilities.

Tips for Clear Communication:

  • Short Sentences: Use short, straightforward sentences.
  • Avoid Jargon: Avoid technical jargon or explain it if necessary.
  • Consistent Terminology: Use consistent terminology throughout your content.

8. Add Image Descriptions on Social Media Platforms

Different social media platforms have different ways to add alt text or image descriptions. Here’s how you can add image descriptions on some popular platforms:

Facebook:

  • When uploading an image, select “Edit Photo” and then “Add Alt Text.”
  • Write a descriptive alt text for the image.

Instagram:

  • When uploading an image, select “Advanced Settings.”
  • Under “Accessibility,” select “Write Alt Text.”

Twitter:

  • When uploading an image, select “Add description.”
  • Write a descriptive alt text for the image.

LinkedIn:

  • When uploading an image, select “Edit.”
  • Under “Alt Text,” write a descriptive alt text for the image.

9. Use Accessible Hashtags

Using hashtags in your social media posts can help them reach a wider audience. For those with cognitive impairments and screen readers, these can be difficult, though. 

Best Practices for Accessible Hashtags:

  • Camel Case: Use camel case (capitalising the first letter of each word) for hashtags. For example, use #SocialMediaAccessibility instead of #social media accessibility.
  • Keep it Simple: Use simple and relevant hashtags.
  • Limit Number: Avoid using too many hashtags in a single post.

10. Educate Your Audience

Educating your audience about accessibility not only promotes awareness but also encourages others to make their content accessible.

Ways to Educate Your Audience:

  • Share Resources: Share articles, guides, and resources about accessibility.
  • Lead by Example: Consistently use accessible practices in your own content.
  • Engage in Discussions: Participate in discussions about accessibility on social media platforms.

Tools and Resources for Social Media Accessibility

Accessibility Testing Tools

  1. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): Helps identify accessibility issues on web pages.
  2. Color Contrast Checker: Tests the contrast between text and background colors.
  3. Screen Readers: Tools like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) and JAWS (Job Access With Speech) help you experience content as a visually impaired user would.

Social Media Platform Guides

  1. Facebook Accessibility: 
  2. Instagram Accessibility:
  3. Twitter Accessibility: 
  4. LinkedIn Accessibility: 

Educational Resources

  1. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The standard guidelines for web accessibility.
  2. Accessible Social: A comprehensive resource for making social media accessible.
  3. Digital Accessibility Toolkit: A toolkit with resources and guidelines for digital accessibility.

Conclusion

Making your social media accessible is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral responsibility and a smart business move. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your content is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. This not only broadens your audience but also fosters a more inclusive and equitable digital environment.

Remember, accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your practices to stay aligned with the latest guidelines and tools. By committing to accessibility, you contribute to a more inclusive internet where everyone can participate and benefit.