Web Accessibility for Social Media

It is important that we take steps to make sure our social media posts are accessible. The following are some tips to create accessible social media content.

YouTube

There are several ways to provide captions for YouTube videos. YouTube has a good overview of the options.

• Use YouTube’s automatic captioning. YouTube uses automated speech recognition to create the captioning. It is important to ensure that the text is accurate. Note: There may be a delay for the captioning to appear with an uploaded video.
• Use YouTube’s built-in subtitle tool. This video explains how to use it.
• Create and upload a custom subtitle file using a text file.

Twitter

Video

• Link to a properly captioned YouTube video file.

Images

• In Settings > Accessibility check the box for “Compose image descriptions”. Then when adding an image make sure to include an image description. More information about accessible images for Twitter.

Facebook

Video

• Link to a properly captioned YouTube video file.
• Or create and upload a custom subtitle file using an SRT (SubRip Subtitle File). Instructions for using and SRT file can be found on this page.

Images

• Add a description of images posted.

Instagram

Video

• Link to a properly captioned YouTube video file.

Images

• Use the post description area to add alternative text to images.

LinkedIn

Video

• Link to a properly captioned YouTube video file.

Images

• Use the post description area to add alternative text to images.