If you scroll social feeds every day, you might not realize how much a difference accessibility choices make. Accessibility, when we’re talking about social media, really just means making sure everyone can understand and enjoy what gets posted online, regardless of ability.
It’s easy to assume things work fine for most people, but millions of users interact with content differently—they may use screen readers or rely on captions, or just need clearer visuals. Taking a few steps can open up your content to a bigger, more engaged audience.
Meeting a Wide Range of Accessibility Needs
People using social media include those who are blind, have low vision, are deaf or hard of hearing, use wheelchairs, live with learning disabilities, or process information differently. The list is longer than most people guess.
Barriers aren’t always obvious. Imagine someone with colorblindness squinting at an infographic, or a video with audio but no captions. Accessibility issues like these make folks feel left out fast. When content isn’t built with everyone in mind, a significant chunk of the audience might skip it or struggle through.
Simple Text and Typography Tips That Matter
Text choices might seem small, but they add up. Online, fonts with big flourishes or ones that look like handwriting are harder to read, especially for people with dyslexia or vision differences. Go for standard, clean fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana—ones that don’t distract from the message.
Text size is also a factor. If your post looks okay on desktop but shrinks to microscopic letters on mobile, plenty of people just scroll on by. Stick to a minimum of 16 pixels if you can. Also, color choices are huge. Light gray on white? That’s tough for almost anyone to see. High contrast—like dark text on a light background—works best, and online contrast checkers can help you nail the balance.
Images, Graphics, and Getting Alt Text Right
For any images you add—think photos, memes, and event flyers—alt text is crucial. Alt text is basically a short line that explains what’s in the picture. Screen readers announce this to folks who can’t see the image. Instead of just “Photo,” describe: “Woman smiling with a golden retriever at a picnic.”
If you post infographics or charts, that’s where things get trickier. You can either write a short summary in the caption so everyone knows what the main data points are, or use features like the “describe” function in image uploads. Try to capture the meaningful details: “Bar chart showing online shopping doubled from 2021 to 2023.”
Memes are everywhere, but don’t forget some people miss both the picture and the inside joke without alt text. A simple description—like “Popular ‘Distracted Boyfriend’ meme with text about Monday motivation”—helps keep everyone in on the fun.
Making Videos Friendlier and Easier for Everyone
Videos catch attention, but can be tough for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Adding captions and subtitles isn’t just nice—it’s necessary for a lot of users. Captions should sync to the audio, stay up long enough to be read, and not block important visuals.
If you’re posting something with vital visual details—like a demo—audio descriptions can make a difference. These short narrations explain what’s happening onscreen for people who can’t see it. Even just mentioning, “On screen, the app shows a large red warning banner,” in the audio or caption can add clarity.
Don’t forget, captions also make videos easier to enjoy in noisy places or when viewers just can’t turn sound on.
Writing Clearly and Structuring for Readability
Social platforms move fast. People skim. Everyone benefits from clear and short sentences, but it matters a lot for people with cognitive or learning disabilities. Use plain language, avoid idioms that confuse, and organize posts so the message comes through right away.
Bullet lists work well for instructions or product highlights. Break up long sentences. If you’re announcing something complicated, use headings, emojis, or line breaks to organize the content visually.
Platform Features: Useful Tools You Might Miss
Most big social platforms have done some work to help make posts more accessible. Instagram lets you add alt text to photos—even if it’s hidden in the advanced options. Twitter (now called X) and Facebook both offer settings for adding image descriptions and improving caption quality.
Platforms like TikTok and YouTube auto-generate captions, but it’s smart to check for accuracy and edit mistakes. On LinkedIn and Facebook, you can use ways to tag photos, label links, and set up display preferences. Play around in your settings—you might be surprised what’s available.
If you manage a brand, setting up accessibility shortcuts in your posting workflow helps make things quicker for your whole team.
How to Check if Your Content Works for Everyone
It’s easy to believe you’ve got everything covered, but testing helps expose bumps you didn’t see coming. Screen reader testing is a good start—just turn on your phone’s built-in screen reader and listen as it navigates your latest post.
Some free online tools like WAVE and axe help spot issues with contrast, missing alt text, or unreadable fonts. Asking for feedback is just as important. If you know people who use assistive tech, get their opinions or send out a call for comments after new campaigns launch.
And yes, improvement is ongoing. Social content moves quickly. Updating posts when someone points out an issue goes a long way toward building trust.
Listening to Those Who Live Accessibility Every Day
You don’t have to reinvent things by yourself. There’s a big community of experts, users, and advocates who share great advice on accessible content—especially on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and dedicated forums.
Some brands invite accessibility advocates to give feedback on their campaigns or join in content planning discussions. Forums and websites run by accessibility organizations also answer common questions and post the latest tips.
You’ll find plenty of firsthand stories and suggestions, and it’s easy to connect directly with people who know—sometimes way more than the official guides. If you’re serious about learning, or just want to ask a quick question, check out the resources at Backlight Center, which regularly shares practical accessibility updates.
Every Small Step Adds Up
Most marketers aren’t out to exclude anyone—it’s just easy to overlook the details during a busy week. But doing just a few of the things above—writing good alt text, checking text contrast, fixing captions—makes your content a little more welcoming every time.
We’ve covered how accessibility changes benefit everyone, not just folks with disabilities. Text that’s easy to read helps people on bad Wi-Fi or with tired eyes. Accurate captions let videos work in noisy offices. Clear graphics help when glancing at socials on the go.
The reality is, there’s always more to learn. Laws and tech change, and so do user needs. Sticking with accessibility isn’t about making a final pitch-perfect post, but just trying to do a little better each time.
You might not notice the people who depend on these features, but they notice you. When you get accessibility right, you’re not just ticking a box—you’re letting more voices join the conversation. Next time you’re putting together a post, try tweaking a few details. It won’t take much, and your audience will thank you by paying attention, sticking around, and sharing your work.