Why Accessibility Matters on Social Media

It’s no secret that social media has become an essential platform for communication, marketing, and community engagement. However, as we increasingly rely on these platforms to share information and connect with others, it’s crucial to ensure that our content is accessible to everyone. Accessibility on social media is not just a legal obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); it’s also a fundamental aspect of creating inclusive and equitable content.

Accessibility in the context of social media means designing and delivering content that can be easily interacted with and consumed by people with various disabilities. This includes those who are visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, have cognitive disabilities or have physical impairments that make traditional methods of interaction challenging.

One of the most significant barriers to accessibility on social media is the visual nature of these platforms.

Images, videos, and infographics are prevalent, but they can be inaccessible to those who rely on screen readers or have visual impairments. To address this, it’s essential to make sure any information in graphics is also conveyed in the caption or copy. Alt text of images can also provide helpful context. Alt text consists of a brief description of the image content, which allows screen readers to convey the information to visually impaired users. When crafting alt text, be concise yet descriptive, ensuring that the essential elements of the image are conveyed accurately.

Additionally, consider the contrast between text and background colors on graphics. High contrast improves readability for people with low vision and can also be easier to read no matter the lighting conditions.

Videos are another popular form of content on social media, but they can pose challenges for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Adding captions to videos is an easy way to provide a textual representation of the spoken dialogue and important sounds, and ensure all your followers can interact and engage with your content. While many social media platforms offer automated captions, it’s a good idea to review and edit these captions for accuracy, as automated systems can sometimes misinterpret spoken words.

For written content, clarity and readability are key. Use plain language and avoid jargon or overly complex sentences. This benefits everyone, but it’s particularly important for individuals with cognitive disabilities who may find it difficult to process complicated information. Break down information into smaller, manageable chunks and use headings to organize content logically.

Interactive elements such as links, buttons, and forms should be designed with accessibility in mind.

Ensure that all clickable elements are large enough to be easily tapped or clicked and use descriptive link text rather than generic terms like “click here.” This helps users who rely on screen readers to understand the context and purpose of the link. Forms should be clearly labeled, and error messages should provide specific guidance on how to correct any mistakes.

Ensuring accessibility on social media is an ongoing process.

It’s important to regularly review your content and seek feedback from users with disabilities to identify areas for better user experience. Many organizations and advocacy groups offer resources and guidelines on digital accessibility, which can be invaluable in your efforts to create inclusive content, but here are some great rules of thumb to follow:

1. Use Accessible Fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read and avoid overly decorative styles that can be difficult for users with dyslexia or visual impairments.
2. Limit Flashing Content: Avoid or provide warnings for flashing or rapidly changing content, as it can trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy.
3. Avoid Emojis as Words: Don’t replace words with emojis, rather use them to complement a thought or phrase.
4. Limit Hashtags: Keep your hashtag usage to a minimum, using no more than five tags to ensure readability and prevent overwhelming users, particularly those using screen readers.
5. Provide Multiple Contact Options: Offer various ways for users to reach out, such as email, phone, or live chat, to accommodate different communication preferences.
6. Provide Context for Links: Give context when sharing links, explaining what the user can expect to find when they click through.
7. Prioritize Clarity and Simplicity: Write in a clear, concise manner using plain language to ensure your content is easily understood by everyone. Avoid jargon, complex sentences, and ambiguous terms, and break information into digestible chunks.
8. Use Clear Icons: Choose simple, universally recognized icons to represent actions and concepts, accompanied by text labels for clarity.
9. Define Acronyms and Abbreviations: Spell out acronyms and abbreviations on first use and provide definitions to ensure all users understand their meaning.
10. Stay Updated: Keep informed about the latest accessibility standards and guidelines to continuously improve and adapt your social media accessibility practices.