Jan 24
Accessibility Is The Key
Learn how to make your social media accessible to open your world to a whole new demographic!
Welcome back to part two of a neurodivergent professional's opinion on digital marketing! Now it is time to talk about the accessibility of your images and adding alt text. Creating the image for the public means you want it to access the neurodiverse and disability community. In fact, accessibility actually helps your SEO because equal access matters. The graphic you create needs to have two things to make it accessible.
Captions & Image Text
The words that you include in your image need to be in the body of your post. Screen readers cannot read images. For example, if you are posting on Instagram, whatever words you include in your graphic will be pasted into the body of your post.
If you are posting a long infographic, always include the image text in your post as well. Even if you can see the image, it can be difficult to read the small print on an image.
Alt-text descriptions
Alongside the image text in your description, you will include a description of the image. Considering alt text you could write it like: “a balloon floating in the air over a mountain range.” The alt text would be included in the body of your post. Adding the alt text you are not only boosting your SEO but making it accessible to millions of more people.
Website and social media accessible regulations are available with the Web Accessibility Initiative. If you have questions on how to make your social media accessible you can read more information HERE.
It is important to take the time to make sure all of the content you put online fits the accessibility standards. Every country will have different regulations. If you live outside of the US, look up your countries accessibility regulations to see what you need to implement.
Tas is an autistic neurodivergent writer. They are advocates for social justice, equality, and are scholars of life.
Shout out to these great Medium writers!
David Crisp is an autistic advocate that works to promote autism acceptance and inclusion.
Check out Vortle! Technology is becoming more and more integrated for mental health. They provide timely explanations of how artificial intelligence is the future of mental health management.
This article was originally written for our Writ 305 course 2022.
