Inclusive Social Media: Making the Digital World Accessible to All

Key Takeaways

• By making social media content accessible, businesses can reach a wider audience, including the 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide.
• Inclusive design principles can be easily implemented with tips such as adding alt text to images, providing video captions, and using clear and concise language.
• Numerous tools and resources are available to assist in creating accessible content, such as WCAG 2.1 guidelines, readability checkers, and captioning apps.

Imagine being unable to see the stunning photos your friends share on Instagram, or not being able to understand the witty tweets that make you laugh. For people with disabilities or unique needs, this is a reality. But it doesn’t have to be. Inclusive design principles can make social media accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Why Accessibility Matters

Inaccessible social media content excludes users with disabilities or unique needs from engaging with the world of social. This is not only unfair, but it also means businesses are missing out on a significant portion of potential customers. According to the World Health Organization, at least 1 billion people experience some form of disability. That’s a huge market to ignore!

7 Inclusive Design Tips

Making your social media content accessible is not as difficult as you might think. Here are 7 tips to get you started:

1. Always add alt text: Descriptive captions and alt text allow people to visualize images when they can’t see them.
2. Video captions: Adding captions or subtitles to videos is crucial for users with hearing challenges and enhances the viewing experience for users watching in non-native language or sound-off environments.
3. Write accessible text: Prioritize clarity in writing to make text more accessible and understandable for everyone.
4. Create accessible visuals: Visuals can also present accessibility challenges. Use color contrast checkers, avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning, and consider users with vision impairments.
5. Memes and emojis: Emojis and memes can be challenging for assistive tools and users with disabilities. Use them sparingly and thoughtfully.
6. Stay up to date on platform accessibility features: Many social media platforms have improved accessibility features and resources. Familiarize yourself with each platform’s offerings.
7. Embrace feedback: Be open to feedback on accessibility and learn from mistakes. Businesses should provide clear contact details and maintain a professional tone when responding to negative mentions or comments.

Social Media Accessibility Tools

There are a number of tools available to help you make your social media content more accessible. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1: Industry standards for accessible web and social media experiences.
• Vox Product Accessibility Guidelines: Interactive checklist for designers, editors, engineers, and more.
• Readability Tools: Check the readability of your copy to comply with WCAG standards.
• Thread Reader App: Unrolls Twitter threads for easier reading.
• CapCut: Adds captions to Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, and other videos automatically.
• Contrast App and Contrast Checker: Check color contrast to ensure accessibility.
• Color Oracle and Color Safe: Ensure color palettes offer enough contrast and adhere to WCAG Guidelines.
• Text on Background Image Accessibility Check: Determines how legible text is based on color contrast.
• YouDescribe: Database of YouTube videos with descriptive audio created by volunteers.
• 67 Percent Collection, The Gender Spectrum Collection, and The Disrupt Aging Collection: Stock photo collections that promote diversity and inclusion.
• Aegisub: Free open-source tool for creating and editing subtitles and transcripts.
• Mentionlytics: Tracks brand mentions across social media and the web.
• Accessible Social and Creating Accessible Social Media Campaigns: Resources for learning more about accessible social media content.

Conclusion

Social media accessibility is not just about ticking a box. It’s about recognizing exclusion, learning from followers, and presenting information in the clearest ways possible, which is ultimately good marketing. By following these tips, you can make your social media content more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the benefits of inclusive design?

Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. It can make content more accessible, easier to understand, and more engaging for all users.

How can I make my social media content more accessible?

There are a number of ways to make your social media content more accessible, including adding alt text to images, using video captions, and writing clear and concise text.

What are some common accessibility mistakes?

Some common accessibility mistakes include not adding alt text to images, using inaccessible fonts or colors, and not providing transcripts for videos.

Where can I learn more about social media accessibility?

There are a number of resources available to help you learn more about social media accessibility, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, the Vox Product Accessibility Guidelines, and the Accessible Social website.