MU leverages social media for engagement, fostering connections, and communicating emergencies. Utilizing accessibility features on social media platforms is crucial for ensuring posts are accessible, alongside creating accessible content from the outset. To ensure accessibility of social media posts, utilize the alternative text and captioning features available on social media platforms to begin. Check back for more tips on enhancing accessibility in your digital content.
Facebook’s Automatic Alt Text (AAT) technology automatically describes an image you upload or post. The automatic alt text is not always correct. You can edit the alt text for images to add an accurate description so users of screen readers have access to the same information.
Instagram uses object recognition technology and computer-vision AI to automatically generate picture descriptions. These auto-generated alt texts can be read by screen readers or alternative output devices. You can also edit the alt text for images to provide a more accurate description of the photo.
You can add alternative text (alt-text) to images you share on your feed or embed in articles. This helps members using screen readers understand the content of the image.
X
X doesn’t generate alt text for images automatically. To make your content accessible, you need to add image descriptions manually.
YouTube
Closed captions enable hard-of-hearing or deaf users to engage with YouTube content. When you upload videos and shorts, YouTube auto-generates captions. However, these automatic captions often require significant edits. Always review and edit the captions before publishing, regardless of the video’s length or the initial quality of the captions.
Additional Resources
Use the following resources for in-depth guidance on creating accessible social media content.
- Check out Accessible Social for free resources and tips on creating inclusive social media content.
- DigitalGov: General Tips for Social Media Accessibility