Social Media Accessibility

All images should have alternative text (alt text). Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn give users the ability to add alt text for images.

When adding alt text to images, it is important to consider:

• Reviewing and modifying image descriptions that are automatically generated to maintain accuracy
• Avoid including alternative text within the post description, as screen reader users will hear the description twice
• Checking if text within an image follows Contrast and Color Accessibility Requirements
   

In certain situations, it may be necessary to provide a full description of the image, and users can add additional details if they prefer. Such descriptions are relevant for images that include prominent details that someone may be interested in, such as names or specific people or specific actions happening. When adding image descriptions, keep in mind the following:

• Image descriptions should add to alt text, and highlight details that may be important to other people
• Image descriptions are normally located at the bottom of posts and provide clarification as to what the poster is communicating with the image
   

Example Image:

Example Image Description: Billy Bronco stands in his athletic attire, posing with his hands by his hips, in front of the Bronco Statute located west of the Residential Suites.

All videos should have captions to allow users who are without hearing, hard-of-hearing, and non-native speakers to perceive the information in a video.
Captions come in two main forms:

1. Closed captions let viewers choose whether to turn the captions on or off
2. Open captions are always visible because the text is embedded into the video and cannot be turned off

When integrating captions within a video, it is important to consider the following:

• Text on the screen must follow Contrast and Color Accessibility Requirements
• Video and other media should not play automatically on default. This type of content can be a barrier for users with cognitive impairments, photosensitive epilepsy, ADHD, and other conditions. Users should have the ability to pause videos and other media. Users should also be notified if media plays by default e.g., "This video will automatically play in a new window".

GIFs are not available to publish on every platform, and not all platforms allow users to add alt text to GIFs. If GIFs don't have alt text, if may be difficult for users who rely on screen readers to interpret the content. Do not rely on a GIF to be the main source of information in a post. Confirm that the post can be understood through text alone. Also consider adding a brief description in brackets at the end of a post to account for the issue.

Use CamelCase convention for hashtags in social media posts, capitalizing the first letter of each word - #AccessibilityAtCalPolyPomona. This formatting allows screen readers to hear the words individually rather than a long incoherent word. It is also important to limit the use of hashtags in each post, as screen readers will read all hashtags to users.

Screen readers will read emojis as their description, e.g., "clapping hands". Because of this, it can be confusing if emojis are placed between words. Do not overuse emojis in posts, and place a space between each one. 

Emoticons, or representations of expressions used through a variety of keystrokes, e.g., :), will be read as "semicolon parenthesis" and should be used sparingly, if at all.

Ensure that infographics meet Contrast and Color Accessibility Requirements. Include alt text if the infographic conveys information.

Keep URLs short whenever possible because screen readers will read them out to users.

Ensure that PDF documents that are linked in your content are tagged properly and accessible.

Avoid the use of uncommon acronyms and abbreviations. This can make content hard to understand.