Social Media Accessibility Guidelines

1. Hashtags need the first letter of each word or each letter in an acronym capitalized.
   • Accessible Example: #AmericanAnthro
     • Inaccessible Example: #americananthro
   • Accessible Example: #AAAMPAAC
     • Inaccessible Example: #aaampaac
2. All visual components need visual descriptions.
   • Steps to add image descriptions on Twitter posts:
     • Add image to your post.
     • Where the image appears, there should be a black bar on the bottom of the image with the text “Add description”. Click “Add description”.
     • A larger version of the image appears. At the bottom, there is a text box that reads “Describe this photo for the visually impaired.”
     • Type in that box your image description and then click “Apply”.
     • Note 1: Though used by some members of the community, to many, the term “visually impaired” is can be considered inappropriate, particularly without the use of “people” along with it.
     • Note 2: Twitter has a character limit for the description.
   • Steps to add image descriptions on Facebook posts:
     • Add an image.
     • Where you include a caption for the post, include the planned caption. Underneath the caption, provide the image description. The image description may be placed in brackets or without, but regardless, should start with “Image description:”.
     • Note: When posting links on Facebook that include thumbnails, it is good practice to describe the image provided as well.
       • Example: [Image description for link thumbnail: provide your description here]
     • Steps to add a description on Instagram posts:
       • Add an image.
       • Click on “Advanced Settings” following all formatting of image.
       • Click on “Write Alt Text”.
       • Write the Alt Text in the text box provided.
       • Note 1: Instagram does produce descriptions automatically, but these are unreliable and inaccurate.
       • Note 2: You are also welcome to include an image description directly in the caption as done with Facebook posts.
     • Steps to add visual descriptions to videos:
       • Provide a broad visual outline of the visuals provided by the video.
         • Example:
           • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwEdJoaD4sY
           • [Video description: Two people stand side-by-side wearing yellow AAA Annual Meeting badges. A white wall is in the background.]
3. All videos shared on social media need…
   • Open/closed captions or transcripts.
   • Audio description versions.
4. Include content warnings.
   • Examples (not an exhaustive list):
     • Violence (individual, institutional, systemic)
     • Sexual content
     • Human remains (including teeth)
     • Drug and alcohol content
     • Oppressive language
     • Bodily trauma
     • Self-harm
     • Food and eating habits
     • Blood and other bodily fluids
     • Environmental disasters
     • Etc.
5. Avoid disablist language.
   • Ableism/Language by Lydia X. Z. Brown

 

Resources for creating accessible social media:

• By Mia Ives-Rublee and Alyssa Klein: https://www.shondaland.com/act/a26294966/make-your-social-media-more-accessible/
• By Rooted in Rights: https://rootedinrights.org/about-2/about/accessibility/
• By Alex Chen: https://medium.com/@thetuttingtutor/pocket-guide-for-inclusive-social-media-a5cf94ac4f57