Introduction: Accessibility Matters More Than Ever

Look at how far platforms like TikTok have evolved—social media has become more than just a way to connect with others online. It’s developed into a search tool, a source of endless entertainment (cue the doomscrolling), and a place to shop or even watch educational content. Within the billions of people using various social platforms, millions rely on assistive tools to navigate the web—something that can sometimes make them feel excluded. Accessibility in social media isn’t just about checking off a box; it’s about creating an inclusive space where everyone can engage and participate.

As we enter 2025, the need for accessible social media content is more urgent than ever. Brands and creators have a unique opportunity—and obligation—to lead the charge in making social spaces truly inclusive. Whether it’s adding descriptive alt text to images, using simple language in posts, or thoughtfully designing videos with captions and audio descriptions, every step toward accessibility makes a difference. It’s not just good practice—it’s the future of social media.

An Inclusive Experience

Accessibility on social media is more than a feature—it’s a necessity for users who need extra assistance with sensory disabilities. There are three types of disabilities that might affect someone’s ability to read, engage with, or enjoy content online:

• Permanent: Such as blindness, hearing loss, or mobility challenges.
• Temporary: Like a broken arm or an eye injury.
• Situational: For example, trying to watch a video in a noisy environment or reading small text in poor lighting.

Modern advances in assistive tech play an important role in bridging the gap for users with sensory disabilities. Tools like screen readers convert on-screen text into spoken words, providing visually impaired users with a different way to enjoy and consume content. Text-to-speech programs and speech synthesizers offer verbal translations of digital information, making content accessible to those with varying levels of visual impairment or learning disabilities.

By ensuring your content accommodates these tools, you’re not only meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities but also enhancing the overall user experience for everyone. Accessible content empowers people to engage, connect, and explore without barriers, creating a truly inclusive digital space.

Best Practices for Accessibility in Social

• Copywriting & Hashtags: Use camel case for hashtags (#IgniteSocialMedia) and simple, clear language for universal understanding.
• Emojis & Icons: Use emojis moderately and intentionally, placing them at the end of the text, and including descriptive text where needed.
• Alt Text for Images: Write concise, descriptive alt text that prioritizes clarity over flowery language, focusing on key details.
• Videos: Always include captions (closed, open, or live) when possible, and consider adding audio descriptions for visually impaired users. Tools like MixCaptions, Kapwing, and AutoCap can help.
• Live Streaming: Choose platforms with live-captioning capabilities and provide post-event transcripts to enhance accessibility (Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Twitch, Google Meet).

 

Test Before You Publish

Test your content before posting! Use accessibility tools, like screen readers and accessibility simulators, to see how your content looks and works in-feed.

Conclusion: A More Accessible Future for Social Media

Creating accessible social content is no longer optional—it’s essential. By incorporating these best practices into your content creation and planning process, you’re not just meeting the needs of users with disabilities; you’re building a culture of inclusivity and setting a standard for others to follow, all while strengthening your communities.

Social Media Accessibility Checklist

Hashtags

• Use sparingly (less is more)
• Use camel case for multi-word hashtags.
• Place hashtags at the end of posts/tweets.
• On Instagram, put hashtag clouds in the first comment, not the caption.

Emojis

• Avoid using them as bullet points or in the middle of content (put the at the end)
• Stick to yellow emojis unless a specific skin tone adds context.
• Use emojipedia.org to double check meaning and description.

Fonts and text

• Avoid special unicode characters or ASCII art.

Images

• Add alt text for all images, including GIFs.

Videos

• Add closed captions for dialogue/audio.
• Provide descriptions for videos without sound.
• Use open captions where closed captions aren’t possible (IG stories & reels).
• Avoid flashing lights or strobe effects (epilepsy warnings)
• Offer live captioning for live videos.