Guidelines: Social Media Accessibility

Creating accessible social media posts ensures that important information can be understood by everyone, including people who use screen readers or have low vision. Use the fast review for quick fixes, the full checklist for best practices, and the cheat sheets for step-by-step guidance.

⚠️ Important: Ensure all social media channels follow the official VCSU Marketing Style Guide.

✅ Fast Review

Quick checks for accessible social media posts.

Post: Keep posts clear and concise.
Hyperlinks: Use short and descriptive URLs.
Images: Always add alt text. If the platform does not support alt text, include a description in the post.
Text in Images:If the image contains text, ensure it is included in the alt text or post body.
- Try the ASU Alt Text Generator.
Video: Turn on captions when uploading or streaming.
Hashtags: Use CamelCase (e.g., #VCSUVikings).
Emojis: Place emojis at the end of posts.
Graphics: Use a color contrast checker when designing graphics.

📖 Full Checklist

🧩 View the full best practices list.

🎨 Colors & Contrast

Ensure text/background contrast meets WCAG standards (≥4.5:1 normal text, ≥3:1 large/bold text).
Don’t rely on color alone; add labels, patterns, or icons.
Run checks with WebAIM or Silktide Toolbar.

🖼️ Images & Alt Text

Provide clear, concise alt text (≤120 characters).
If purely decorative, mark the image as decorative.
Avoid acronyms or insider jargon.
Do not repeat alt text in both the image and caption.
For infographics or complex visuals, provide a long description nearby.
- Try the ASU Alt Text Generator.

📑 Video & Audio

Add captions to all videos with dialogue or narration.
Edit auto-generated captions for accuracy.
Enable live captioning for live streams.
Avoid flashing, strobing, or excessive motion effects.

#️⃣ Hashtags

Use CamelCase to improve readability (e.g., #GoVikings).
Limit the number of hashtags. Screen readers read each one.
Avoid emojis inside hashtags.

😊 Emojis

Do not use emojis in place of words.
Place them at the end of a post, not inside sentences.
Avoid using emojis as bullet points.

🔗 Hyperlinks

Keep URLs short and descriptive.
- Services like Bitly or TinyURL can help.
When possible, hyperlink descriptive text instead of pasting the raw URL.

✍️ Language

Use plain language.
Avoid acronyms unless explained.
Keep sentences short and direct.

📱 Platform How-To Guides

Step-by-step instructions for adding captions, alt text, and accessible features.

📘 Facebook

Alt Text: When uploading an image, click Edit → Alt Text → add description.
Video Captions: Upload .SRT file or enable auto-captions in video settings. Review for accuracy.
Live Captions: Enable live auto-captioning in Live Producer.
Facebook Accessibility Help

📸 Instagram

Alt Text: After selecting a photo → Advanced Settings → Write Alt Text.
Captions: IG auto-generates captions for videos. Toggle Captions in video settings.
Stories/Reels: Add Captions Sticker for auto-transcriptions.
Instagram Accessibility Help

💼 LinkedIn

Alt Text: When uploading an image → Add Alt Text below the preview.
Video Captions: Upload a .SRT file during video upload.
LinkedIn Accessibility Help

🐦 X (Twitter)

Alt Text: Select Add description when attaching an image.
Video Captions: Must be embedded before upload (no native caption file support).
X (Twitter) Accessibility Help

🎵 TikTok

Captions: Enable Auto Captions during video editing. Edit for accuracy.
Text on Screen: Use high contrast and keep text large. Avoid covering key visuals.
Alt Text: TikTok currently does not support true alt text; include image descriptions in the caption.
TikTok Accessibility Help