Social media is an important part of how GCCCD communicates with students, employees, and the community. Accessibility should be considered before publishing content, not only after someone encounters a barrier.

While individual platforms offer different accessibility features, the same core practices apply across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and other social platforms.

1. Add Alternative Text to Images

Images that convey meaningful information need alternative text (alt text) so people using screen readers can access that information.

When writing alt text:

• Describe the image's purpose and essential information in context.
• Be concise while including meaningful details.
• Avoid unnecessary phrases such as "image of" or "picture of."
• Review and correct automatically generated alt text rather than relying on it without checking.
• Mark purely decorative images as decorative when the platform provides that option.
• For complex images, such as charts or infographics, provide a longer text explanation when necessary.

Example:

• Less descriptive: "Students on campus."
• More descriptive: "Three Grossmont College students studying together at an outdoor table."

Alt text should reflect the actual image and its purpose. Avoid adding details that cannot be confirmed from the image or its context.

2. Don't Put Essential Information Only in a Graphic

Flyers, event announcements, infographics, and other graphics often contain important text. Someone who cannot see the image may not have access to that information unless it is also provided in an accessible format.

When posting a graphic, include essential information in the post or caption as text, such as:

• Event name
• Date and time
• Location or virtual meeting information
• Registration instructions or links
• Important deadlines
• Contact information

Think of the graphic as supplemental. The post itself should communicate the essential message.

For graphics containing substantial or complex information, consider linking to an accessible webpage with the complete details.

3. Caption Videos and Provide Access to Audio and Visual Information

Videos containing speech or other meaningful audio should include accurate synchronized captions.

Before posting:

• Add captions for spoken content.
• Review automatically generated captions for accuracy, punctuation, and timing.
• Identify speakers when necessary for understanding.
• Include meaningful sounds, such as alarms or audience reactions, when they contribute to the message.
• Provide a transcript for audio-only content and when a transcript would improve access to other media.
• Provide audio description or another accessible way to communicate important visual information that is not conveyed through the video's existing audio.
• Check that captions are readable and do not obscure important visual content.

Remember: Automatically generated captions are a useful starting point, but they should be reviewed and corrected before publishing.

4. Use Accessible Hashtags

Capitalize the first letter of each word in multiword hashtags. This practice, commonly called PascalCase or CamelCase, makes hashtags easier to read and can help assistive technologies distinguish individual words.

Example:

• Avoid: #accessibilityforall
• Use: #AccessibilityForAll

The same practice applies to GCCCD campaign hashtags:

• #AccessGCCCD
• #SharedResponsibilitySharedSuccess

Use hashtags purposefully and avoid long strings of hashtags that make posts difficult to read or navigate.

5. Use Emojis Thoughtfully

Screen readers may announce emojis using their assigned descriptions. Multiple emojis in a row can become repetitive or confusing when read aloud.

When using emojis:

• Use them sparingly.
• Use them to supplement rather than replace words.
• Place them where they do not interrupt important information.
• Avoid long strings of repeated emojis.
• Avoid using emojis as list markers or as the only way to communicate meaning.

For example, instead of using a calendar emoji by itself to indicate an event date, write "Date: October 23" so the information is clear to everyone.

6. Write Meaningful Links and Calls to Action

When a platform supports linked text, use language that clearly describes the destination or action.

• Avoid: "Click here" or "Learn more here."
• Better: "Register for the Access GCCCD Activation Series."

When a platform requires a visible URL, provide enough surrounding context so readers understand where the link leads.

Some platforms do not support clickable links in regular post captions. When directing readers to a profile link or another location, provide clear instructions and ensure that the destination is easy to identify.

7. Make Visual Content Easy to Read

Accessible social media includes making graphics, text, and other visual elements easier to perceive and understand.

Recommended Practices

• Use sufficient color contrast between text and backgrounds.
• Choose readable fonts and appropriate font sizes.
• Provide adequate spacing between text and visual elements.
• Use clear visual hierarchy to distinguish headings, supporting information, and calls to action.
• Keep text within graphics concise.
• Use simple backgrounds that do not interfere with readability.
• Communicate meaning through text or other visual indicators in addition to color.

Practices to Avoid

• Low-contrast text
• Very small fonts
• Busy backgrounds behind text
• Excessive decorative fonts
• Using color alone to communicate meaning
• Flashing or rapidly changing visual effects that may create accessibility barriers

For reference, WCAG 2.1 Level AA generally requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, with certain exceptions.

8. Consider Accessibility Across Multiple Slides

Carousels and multi-image posts need the same accessibility attention as single images.

Before publishing a carousel, ask:

• Does each meaningful image have appropriate alt text when the platform supports it?
• Does the caption provide enough context for the overall post?
• Is important information available as accessible text outside the graphics?
• Does the sequence follow a logical order?
• Can someone understand the main message without seeing every slide?

If a platform does not support separate alt text for each image, consider providing the essential information in the caption or linking to an accessible webpage.

Before You Post: Quick Accessibility Check

Use these questions to review your content before publishing:

• Does every meaningful image have useful alt text or an equivalent text alternative?
• Is important information from a flyer or graphic also available as accessible text?
• Are videos accurately captioned?
• Is meaningful audio and visual information available in an accessible format?
• Are multiword hashtags capitalized?
• Are emojis used sparingly and appropriately?
• Is visual content readable, with sufficient contrast?
• Are links and calls to action clear?
• Does the content avoid unnecessary flashing or distracting motion?
• Can someone understand the essential message without relying solely on sight, sound, or color?

When the Platform Limits What You Can Do

Social media platforms do not always provide complete accessibility controls. Use the accessibility features that are available and provide an accessible alternative when necessary.

For example, if a platform does not allow you to provide an adequate text alternative for a complex infographic, include the essential information directly in the post or link to an accessible webpage containing the same information.

When possible, use GCCCD webpages as the primary location for important institutional information and social media as a way to direct audiences to those resources.

Remember: Provide More Than One Way to Access Information

Don't make your audience depend on a single format to receive important information.

• If it's in an image: Provide a text alternative.
• If it's spoken: Provide accurate captions or a transcript, as appropriate.
• If it's visual: Ensure important information is available to people who cannot see it.
• If color communicates meaning: Communicate that meaning another way, too.

Building accessibility into your social media workflow helps GCCCD communicate more effectively with students, employees, and the broader community.

Accessibility is not a project to complete. It is a culture to cultivate.

Learn More

• Section508.gov: Social Media Accessibility
• WebAIM: Alternative Text
• WebAIM: Captions, Transcripts, and Audio Descriptions
• WebAIM: Contrast Checker