Accessibility
Social Media
Creating Accessible Social Media Content
Accessible social media promotes inclusion, increases reach, and meets WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Social media is a public-facing form of communication and steps must be taken to ensure all persons can consume the content.
Accessible social media makes for better social media.
Quick Checklist
- Use plain language
- Opt for CamelCase hashtags (#OurSCSU not #ourscsu)
- Add alt text to all images (do not rely on auto-generated)
- Ensure sufficient color contrast
- Include accurate captions for video
- Do not put important information into graphics
- Use descriptive hyperlinks
Note: Your accessible social media will take a little extra time—plan ahead.
What goes into accessible social media?
P.O.U.R.
Using the P.O.U.R. acronym, ask yourself if your social media meets these criteria:
- Perceivable: Can users see or hear the content?
- Operable: Can users interact with the content?
- Understandable: Is it clear and readable?
- Robust: Does it work across devices and assistive technology?
If the answer to any of those is "no" then your content should be removed from the platform and reevaluated.
Writing Content
When writing content for social media, keep these items in mind.
- Use short sentences with minimal jargon.
- Use CamelCase hashtags (#OurSCSU not #ourscsu)
- Avoid excess emojis and place any emojis at the end of sentences.
- Do not use ALL CAPS, which is harder to read
Video
Video has become very popular on many social media platforms. Take these considerations into account before posting a video:
- Include captions and edit auto-captions for accuracy
- Provide audio descriptions if critical visuals aren't described
- Avoid flashing content
- Include a summary or transcript when possible
Visuals
Social media is viewed on both large screens (desktops and laptops) and small screens (mobile devices) settings. Design your visuals so they are clear, readable, and effective in both formats.
- Use high contrast colors
- Choose readable fonts
- Keep layouts simple and uncluttered
- Avoid fast animations or motion-heavy designs
Platform-Specific Tips
Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn
- Use built-in alt text fields
- Add captions for video
- Avoid text-heavy images
X (Twitter)
- Enable and use image descriptions
- Keep threads structured clearly
TikTok / Reels
- Use on-screen captions
- Ensure spoken content is also visible in text form
Page Feedback
Have feedback or questions about this page? Email web@stcloudstate.edu to help us make it better.