Social Media Accessibility

Accessible social media content ensures that all audiences can engage with posts shared on official LC State accounts, regardless of disability or how they access the content.

Alternative Text

Accessible social media text is clear, concise, and inclusive. It uses plain language, descriptive elements, and thoughtful formatting to ensure everyone can engage with the content.

  • Use Alt Text: Alternative text should be descriptive, conveying the content and functionality of the image. For example:
    • Weak alt text: "Administrator at LC State"
    • Strong alt text: "President Pemberton standing in front of Reid Centennial Hall holding up an interlocking LC sign"
  • Important text in an image should be included in the caption.
  • Use hashtags sparingly, written in camel case (#AccessibleContent). Capitalize the first letter or every word to provide access to individuals who use screen readers. Example:
    • #LCState
    • #TheWarriorWay
  • Limit the use of emojis and avoid long strings that screen readers must read one by one. For example:

    • Make sure šŸ§ to register and šŸ’³pay for your seat by May 15th!āœØāš¾

      Reads: Make sure monocle face to register and credit card pay for your seat by May 15th sparkles baseball.

Images

Images and graphics can be accessible to everyone when they include meaningful alt text or long descriptions, strong color contrast, readable text, and clear perceivable design elements.

  • Provide alternative text using the platformā€™s methods or by including a description in the caption of your post.
  • Use high quality images with sufficient color contrast so users can discern foreground from background.
  • Memes and gifs often include text over the visual. You may not be able to adjust those to meet accessibility criteria. In those cases, consider the purpose of the visual and include that in the caption.

Videos

Make social media videos accessible by using accurate captions, ensuring good contrast with backgrounds, including all video text in posts, describing images, and detailing activities in captions.

  • Always include accurate captions. Auto generated captions must be edited for accuracy. Look for missed words, acronyms, slang, and incorrectly spell names.
  • Captions should have sufficient contrast against the background colors of the video.
  • If the video has text, add that text to your post.
  • If your video presents a collection of images, you can describe the images in your post.
  • If your video shows an activity, describe the activity in the video captions or post caption.

Best Practices by Platform

Images: Although Facebook automatically adds alt text, it is often inaccurate and requires editing. You can do this by clicking "options" on the photo and choosing "change alt text."

Videos: You can add captions by uploading SRT files. Alternatively, you can use the auto-generated captions created by Facebook, but make sure to edit the auto-generated captions to ensure they are accurate.

Live events:Ā It is important to provide live captions whenever possible. If it is not possible to have captions as the event is proceeding, provide captions as soon as possible after the event.

Text: Use plain language, CamelCase hashtags (#TheWarriorWay), and descriptive links (avoid "click here").

Facebook accessibility

Images: Add custom alt text on every photo. Donā€™t rely only on Instagramā€™s automatic alt text. Replace it with a clear, concise description that explains the imageā€™s purpose.

Videos: Turn on and review the captions for Reels and videos. Enable captions in the post or app settings, and fix any transcription errors before publishing.

Stories: Use the Captions sticker for Stories to auto-generate subtitles, then edit the text for accuracy before posting.

Graphics: Avoid text-only graphics. If an image includes text (like a flyer), include the key information in the caption as well so it's accessible to screen readers and translation tools.

Captions: Instagram Stories and Reels support a captions sticker, but feed videos rely on auto-captions or external apps.

Instagram accessibility

Images: You can add alt text to photos by choosing "add alt text" after uploading. If you donā€™t add alt text, LinkedIn may automatically generate it after you post. You can edit that text anytime.

Videos: Add captions by uploading an SRT file. Uploading via mobile does not allow for captions.

LinkedIn accessibility

Images: Add alt text to every photo, GIF and chart so screen-reader users receive the context.

Videos: Turn on auto-captions, then fix errors. On the web you can also upload an SRT file for cleaner results.

Text: Make text easy to parse by using plain language, CamelCase hashtags (#WarriorPride), and descriptive links (avoid "click here").

X accessibility

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All LC State affiliations who create and publish digital content are responsible for making sure their digital content is accessible and provides an inclusive experience.
  • Anyone who manages or edits LC State social media content.
  • Vendors and partners who create content on the College's behalf.

All social media content must comply with the required WCAG 2.1 AA standards. These guidelines are referenced in LC State's Digital Accessibility Policy (coming soon) and in the ADA Title II federal regulations.

Resources

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