Introduction: Are Your Social Media Posts Accessible?

Why Accessibility Matters for Social Media Content

Why Accessibility Compliance Is Crucial

Common Accessibility Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

How to Make LinkedIn Articles Accessible

Tips for Accessible LinkedIn Articles

Why Accessibility Is Good for Business

Tools to Make Social Media Accessible

Conclusion: Think Accessibility Before You Post

Introduction: Are Your Social Media Posts Accessible?

Let’s be honest—most of us have our social media routine down to a science. Upload a picture, type a snappy caption, sprinkle in some hashtags, and hit "post." You’re feeling pretty good about it, right? Well, before you hit that glorious "post" button, let’s pump the brakes for just a second. Have you ever stopped to think, "Wait… is my content accessible to everyone?" I mean, sure, you’ve nailed the hashtags, but what about people using screen readers? Did you add alt text to that image? What about captions for your videos? You see where I’m going with this.

Accessibility isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s about making sure everyone—including those with disabilities—can enjoy and engage with your content. Let’s dive into why that matters, and how you can make it happen!

Why Accessibility Matters for Social Media Content

Digital accessibility means making sure your social media posts, websites, and videos are accessible to people with disabilities, such as those using screen readers or those with hearing impairments. By focusing on accessible content, you improve user experience, boost engagement, and comply with accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Why Accessibility Compliance Is Crucial

Legal Risks of Ignoring Accessibility

In 2019, Domino's Pizza faced a lawsuit because their website and app weren’t accessible to a blind customer using a screen reader. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Domino’s lost. This is a reminder that social media and digital content aren’t exempt from accessibility regulations.

Ignoring accessibility can lead to fines, lawsuits, and damage to your brand’s reputation. Making sure your posts are accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the law.

Common Accessibility Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even with the best intentions, accessibility can sometimes fall through the cracks. Let’s look at common mistakes and real-world examples of how to fix them.

No Alt Text on Images

Alt text is essential for making your images accessible to people who use screen readers. Nike consistently includes descriptive alt text on their Instagram images, ensuring everyone can engage with their visual content. Next time you post, describe what’s in your photo, like “A vibrant sunset over a calm ocean.”

Videos Without Captions

Videos are watched without sound by 85% of users on Facebook. The New York Times addressed this by adding captions to all of their video content, making it accessible to the hearing-impaired and more engaging for everyone. Add captions to your videos to ensure your message is understood.

Poor Color Contrast

Low contrast can make text difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments. In 2021, BBC revamped its design to improve color contrast, ensuring better readability. Use a tool like the Color Contrast Analyzer to test your text and background colors.

Complicated Language

Content should be simple and easy to understand. Microsoft excels at using clear, conversational language in their social media posts, making their content accessible to a broader audience. The lesson? Keep it simple and direct.

How to Make LinkedIn Articles Accessible

LinkedIn is a professional platform, but that doesn’t mean it should be inaccessible. Hootsuite sets an example by using headings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs in their LinkedIn articles. This structure helps both human readers and screen readers navigate the content with ease.

Tips for Accessible LinkedIn Articles:

• Use Headings to break up sections and make navigation easier.
• Include Bullet Points to organize information and improve readability.
• Keep language clear and concise to ensure accessibility for users with cognitive disabilities.

Why Accessibility Is Good for Business

Expanding Your Audience and Boosting SEO

Making your social media and website content accessible isn’t just about legal compliance—it’s a strategic business move. One excellent example is Sign-Speaka company using cutting-edge technology to make content more accessible to the deaf community. SignSpeak’s software translates sign language into spoken words in real time, breaking down communication barriers and making digital interactions more inclusive.

Similarly, when you make your content accessible—by adding captions, using alt text, or improving navigation—you’re broadening your audience to include people who otherwise might not be able to engage. This not only enhances your user experience but also drives customer loyalty, as users will feel valued by your brand’s commitment to inclusion.

Moreover, accessibility is good for SEO. Search engines favor websites and content that are easy to navigate and understand, which directly aligns with accessibility practices. Whether it’s a screen reader-friendly structure or captioned videos, accessible content gets indexed more easily, leading to better visibility in search results and ultimately more traffic to your site.

By focusing on accessibility, your business doesn’t just comply with the law—it taps into a wider audience and improves its online performance. It’s a win-win.

Tools to Make Social Media Accessible

WAVE Accessibility Tool

Check your social media pages for accessibility issues with this quick evaluation tool.

Axe DevTools by Deque Systems, Inc

Automatically scan your pages for accessibility problems and get actionable insights.

Rev for Video Captions

Need captions? CapCut offers high-quality captioning services for videos across platforms.

Color Contrast Analyzer

Ensure your text doesn’t blend into the background by testing color contrast.

Conclusion: Think Accessibility Before You Post

Before hitting that “post” button, ask yourself, “Is this accessible to everyone?” Simple actions like adding alt text, captions, and using high contrast can make a world of difference. Accessible content improves engagement, keeps you compliant with the law, and opens your content to a broader audience.

Making social media accessible isn’t just a good practice—it’s the future. So, how will you make your next post more accessible?