Creating accessible social media content is not just a best practice—it is also a legal requirement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As social media platforms become increasingly integral to audience engagement and information dissemination, it is critical to design content that removes barriers and ensures equal access.
The resources on this page provide practical strategies and best practices to help meet ADA compliance requirements for social media, reach a broader audience, and promote digital inclusion.
Accessibility Checklist
Use this checklist from Accessible Social to double-check your social media content before publishing it online.
Get the Accessible Social Checklist
Please note: This checklist is not comprehensive or a guaranteed solution for all accessibility needs. It is intended to reinforce best practices and support the development of consistent, accessible content creation habits. Over time, these practices should become an integrated part of your workflow.
Use Plain Language and Clear Structure
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Write simply and clearly: Use everyday language and avoid jargon or overly complex sentences. Plain language improves understanding for all readers, including those with cognitive disabilities or limited English proficiency. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms without explanation.
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Front-load key information: Place the most important content at the beginning of the post so screen reader users or people skimming can quickly grasp the message.
Limit Use of Emojis, Symbols & Special Characters
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Use emojis sparingly and meaningfully: Screen readers read out the name of each emoji, which can become confusing or time-consuming if used excessively. Place them at the end of a post when possible. Use Emojipedia to check emoji meanings and names.
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Avoid decorative symbols: Characters like “★✧♡” or ASCII art can disrupt screen readers and distract from the message.
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Use standard punctuation: Unusual punctuation marks can interfere with screen reader interpretation and readability.
Graphics & Videos: Ensure Sufficient Color Contrast and Readable Fonts
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Maintain high color contrast: Use tools to check that text and background colors meet contrast ratio standards (minimum 4.5:1 for regular text).
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Avoid relying on color alone: Never use color as the only method to convey meaning (e.g., “click the red button”).
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Use legible fonts in graphics: Avoid overly decorative fonts and ensure text in images is large, clear, and easy to read across devices.
Use Consistent and Logical Post Formatting
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Use line breaks appropriately: Break up long blocks of text for better readability.
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Use proper capitalization: Write hashtags in CamelCase (e.g., #AccessibleDesign instead of #accessibledesign) so screen readers can pronounce them correctly.
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Avoid all caps: Text in all capital letters can be harder to read and may be misinterpreted by screen readers.
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Avoid stylized fonts: Avoid using non-standard characters and typfaces to make text appear in differently (ie. different weights, styles, and fonts). Only use the fonts and formatting options readily available on the platforms.
Always Provide Descriptions for Visual Content
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Even when platforms allow for alt text, include a brief image description in the post text when possible. This ensures people using platforms or devices that don’t support alt text still receive the essential information.
- Adding alt-text
- Meta Business Suite: Scheduling Accessible Images
- Videos: Adding captions to your page’s video
- Facebook Help Center for Accessibility
- Adding alt-text
- Meta Business Suite: Scheduling Accessible Images
- Videos: Manage reels and video captions
- Help Center for Accessibility