Enhancing the Accessibility of Your Social Media Content
In today's digital landscape, it's crucial to ensure that your social media content is accessible to a wide and diverse audience. With approximately 15% of the world's population identifying as Disabled, and many more who may not disclose their disability, making your content inclusive is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business decision. Accessible content not only attracts more views but also sends a clear message to Disabled individuals that they are valued and welcome. Let's explore some simple, cost-effective ways to enhance the accessibility of your social media content.
Image and Video Descriptions: In the caption of your post, provide detailed descriptions of the images or videos you share. Explain what's happening in the visual content and, if applicable, copy and paste any text present in the image. This practice ensures that individuals who use screen readers can fully comprehend your posts!
Caption Your Videos: Adding captions to your videos is essential to accommodate Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Many social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, offer built-in captioning features. Alternatively, you can use third-party captioning apps like Mix Captions. Ensure that your captions are accurate, well-placed, and easily readable, as approximately 83% of social media viewers watch videos with the sound off.
Content Warnings: Utilize content warnings to alert your audience about the nature of your post. This is especially important for sensitive topics such as death, suicide, violence, war, or ableism. Additionally, if your content includes flashing lights, loud noises, or other visual and auditory stimuli, make sure to provide warnings for those as well. This helps individuals with sensory sensitivities navigate your content safely.
Good Color Contrast: Pay attention to the colour contrast in your visual content. High contrast between foreground and background colours is essential for readability. Avoid using bright text on bright backgrounds or pale text on pale backgrounds, as they can be challenging to discern. Instead, opt for light text on dark backgrounds or dark text on light backgrounds. You can use tools like colourcontrast.cc to check if your chosen colours meet accessibility standards.
Remember that accessible communication is a fundamental human right, as outlined in Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Whether you are an individual, a brand, a media outlet, or an organization, it is your responsibility to proactively make your content accessible. Disabled individuals should not have to request accessibility; it should be integrated into your content creation process.
To ensure accessibility is at the forefront of your content creation, follow these steps:
Take the photo or create the video.
Write accompanying text that is inclusive and informative.
Craft image/video descriptions, content warnings, and captions.
Verify colour contrast for readability.
Create the post on your chosen social media platform or blog.
Double-check the post for both accessibility and accuracy.
Share your content with confidence.
By making accessibility a seamless part of your content creation workflow, you not only expand your reach but also contribute to a more inclusive online community.
Need additional help? Let's work together to dive into the latest trends, find some cool solutions, and map out a plan for making the online world more inclusive. Let's chat!
