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Social Media

Creating Accessible Social Media Content

Social media is an important part of how GCCCD communicates with students, employees, and the community. Consider accessibility before posting 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 information need text alternatives so people using screen readers can access it.

When writing alt text:

• Describe the image's purpose or essential information.
• Be concise while including meaningful details.
• Don't begin with “image of” or “picture of.”
• Don't rely on automatically generated alt text without reviewing it.
• Mark decorative images as decorative when the platform provides that option.

Example:

• Instead of: Students on campus
• Use: Three Grossmont College students studying together at an outdoor table.

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.

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

• Event name
• Date and time
• Location
• Registration information
• Important deadlines
• Contact information

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

3. Caption Video and Provide Access to Audio

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

Before posting:

• Add captions to spoken content.
• Review automatically generated captions for accuracy.
• Identify speakers when necessary for understanding.
• Include meaningful sounds when they contribute to the message.
• Provide a transcript when appropriate.
• Consider audio description or another way to communicate important visual information that is not conveyed through the audio.

Don't assume auto-captions are accurate enough to publish without review.

4. Use Accessible Hashtags

Capitalize the first letter of each word in multiword hashtags. This practice, often called CamelCase or PascalCase, makes hashtags easier to read and helps screen readers distinguish the individual words.

• Instead of: #accessibilityforall
• Use: #AccessibilityForAll

The same practice applies to campaign hashtags:

• #AccessGCCCD
• #SharedResponsibilitySharedSuccess

5. Use Emojis Thoughtfully

Screen readers announce emojis using their assigned descriptions. A row of emojis may therefore become repetitive or confusing when read aloud.

Use emojis:

• Sparingly
• To supplement rather than replace words
• At the end of a sentence when possible
• Without creating long strings of repeated symbols

Avoid using emojis as bullets or as the only way to communicate meaning.

6. Write Meaningful Links and Calls to Action

When a platform allows linked text, describe the destination or action rather than using vague phrases such as:

• Avoid: “Click here” or “Learn more here.”
• Better: “Register for the Accessibility Activation Series.”

When a platform requires a visible URL, keep the surrounding language clear so users understand where the link leads.

7. Make Visual Content Easy to Read

Accessible social media also means making graphics and text visually usable.

Use:

• Strong color contrast
• Readable font sizes
• Simple, legible fonts
• Adequate spacing
• Clear visual hierarchy
• Limited amounts of text within graphics

Avoid:

• Low-contrast text
• Very small fonts
• Busy backgrounds behind text
• Excessive decorative fonts
• Using color alone to communicate meaning

8. Consider Accessibility Across Multiple Slides

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

Ask:

• Does each meaningful image have alt text?
• Does the caption provide enough context?
• Is important information available outside the graphics?
• Does the sequence make sense?
• Can someone understand the main message without seeing every slide?

Before You Post: Quick Accessibility Check

Before publishing social media content, ask:

• Does every meaningful image have useful alt text?
• Is important text from a flyer or graphic also included in the caption?
• Are videos accurately captioned?
• Is important visual information in a video communicated another way?
• Are multiword hashtags capitalized?
• Are emojis used sparingly?
• Is the visual content readable and high contrast?
• Are links and calls to action clear?
• 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 the information another way when necessary.

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

The simplest rule

Don't make the audience depend on a single format to get important information.

• If it's in an image, provide text.
• If it's spoken, provide captions.
• If it's visual, consider how someone who cannot see it will receive the information.
• If color communicates something, communicate it another way too.

Learn More

Visit the Section 508 Social Media page.