1. Making Social Media Posts Accessible
WashU Web Accessibility Users Group
April 2019

2. Some WCAG 2.1 Guidelines That Apply
1.1 Text alternatives
“Provide text alternatives for any non-text content...” (exceptions include decorative images)
1.2 Time-based media
“Provide alternatives for time-based media.”
WCAG 2.1 Guidelines

3. Facebook: Photos Facebook generates automatic alt-text
Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) object recognition technology to automatically generate a description of a posted photo. This creates very limited information like “may contain two people, smiling, standing.”
Debuted in 2016
Users can create custom alt-text
Add it as you upload the photo (Edit Photo > Alt Text > Override generated alt text)
Or edit after posting (click on photo; Options > Change Alt Text > Override generated alt text)
Alt-text can only be edited on a computer or iOS device (not Android)

4. Facebook: Videos Use Facebook’s automatic video captioning
Then edit for clarity
Or add closed captioning by uploading a transcript in SubRip format (.srt)
Contains sequential counter, start and end timecodes, subtitle text, a blank line to separate sequential entries
Example from Wikipedia:
Facebook Accessibility
“Like” the Facebook Accessibility page on Twitter

5. Instagram: Photos
Instagram generates automatic alternative text (alt-text) descriptions
Uses AI like Facebook
Applies when you use Feed, Explore, or Profile
Debuted in November 2018
Users can create custom alt-text descriptions
Edit auto-generated descriptions for clarity
Add as you upload the photo (via Advanced Settings) or edit the alt-text after you post
Instagram Alt Text

6. Instagram: Videos and Stories
Write a caption for a video you’re posting or add it after you’ve posted
No captioning options in Instagram for stories
You can use a third party app (options on Apple devices: Cliptomatic or Apple Clips) to add and edit live captions for a video before you upload it
Instagram Captions

7. Twitter: Photos
Users must first enable the ability to create image descriptions
Profile > Settings and Privacy > Accessibility > turn Compose image descriptions on
Debuted 2016 on Twitter.com; 2018 on mobile Twitter
Once enabled, users can add and edit image descriptions
As you upload the photo, click on thumbnail preview
Add description > Enter description > Apply
Limit is 420 characters
Twitter generates automatic alt-text that lists the people who are tagged

8. Twitter: Videos, GIFs, Moments
No captions or alt-text available for these options
Add a description for your moment when you create it
Add a description of your video in the body of your tweet
Or use a third party app to add and edit captions for a video before you upload it

9. Twitter: Hash Tags and Mentions
Use camelback hashtags (capitalize the first letter of each word) for ease of interpretation by screen readers (e.g., #HashTag)
Put hashtags and mentions at the end of your post instead of in the middle
Twitter Accessibility; (those are ones in the middle of the name); search #A11y

10. Twitter: Other
When you tweet a hyperlink, include a descriptor to let users know what to expect (e.g., [AUDIO], [PIC], or [VIDEO]); maybe use mixed-case instead of all-caps
Use shortened URLs
For more info, visit University of MN, Accessible U
Note is not UMN’s active Twitter account
Note 2: University of MN website may not be as up-to-date as each of the vendor platform websites

11. YouTube: Videos (Manual Caption)
Post your Video
Use Video Manager > choose video > Edit > Subtitles/CC
Two options for manually loading captions
Upload a caption file (contains text and time codes)
Upload a File > Subtitles > choose file > Edit > Publish
Upload a transcript file (text only, .txt)
Upload a File > Transcript > choose file > Set Timings (to sync it with video) > Edit > Publish when correct

12. YouTube: Videos (Auto-Caption)
Post your Video
Use Video Manager > choose video > Edit > Subtitles/CC
If YouTube already auto-generated captions, your video will be marked as Published: English (Automatic) (or another language).
Click the link English (Automatic)
Review text and timing; Edit using YouTube tools
Publish again

13. YouTube: Videos (Search for CC)
Captioned videos are marked on YouTube.com with a CC, but this doesn’t reflect the quality of the captioning
To search for videos that are captioned:
Type search terms into the Search bar; click Search > Filter > Features > Subtitles/CC
Or type search terms +“,cc” into the Search bar; click Search (e.g., “accessibility, cc”)
National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) One-Page Cheat Sheet

14. Social Media: Additional Considerations
Use appropriate color contrast
Don’t rely on color alone for meaning
Use mixed-case letters instead of all caps
If posting a picture of text, make sure it can be enlarged without loss of quality
Limit the use of emojis
Convey the spirit of your post, including humor, if appropriate
Use a screen reader to test your posts

15. Questions?