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Attn social media managers/journalists:
Most news orgs don't consistently use alt text to improve the accessibility of their social content. They should!
*especially while communicating urgent info during a disaster* (looking at govt accounts too)
Here's how + why to start:
Most news orgs don't consistently use alt text to improve the accessibility of their social content. They should!
*especially while communicating urgent info during a disaster* (looking at govt accounts too)
Here's how + why to start:
First: What is alt text?
= words that describe what's happening in an image (or promo graphic or chart or screenshot) you've attached to a post. https://blog.hootsuite.com/inclusive-design-social-media/
= words that describe what's happening in an image (or promo graphic or chart or screenshot) you've attached to a post. https://blog.hootsuite.com/inclusive-design-social-media/
In the context of social media, alt text helps people who use assistive technology understand what's in an Instagram post or image you've attached to a tweet/FB post.
If you don't add alt text, people who rely on this technology might have no idea what it is.
If you don't add alt text, people who rely on this technology might have no idea what it is.
Facebook + Instagram automatically generate alt text, but writing your own version is the best way to ensure it's actually helpful.
Twitter doesn’t automatically generate it, so your readers there who use screen readers will miss out on the full presentation of your content.
Twitter doesn’t automatically generate it, so your readers there who use screen readers will miss out on the full presentation of your content.
The alt text you write should helpfully + concisely describe whatever is in the file you shared so that the screen reader can communicate to the user what is on their screen.
Here's more on how to make sure your alt text is good: https://support.siteimprove.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115000013031-Accessibility-Image-Alt-text-best-practices
Here's more on how to make sure your alt text is good: https://support.siteimprove.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115000013031-Accessibility-Image-Alt-text-best-practices
“On the right, a photo of registered nurse Steven Powell looking off camera, wearing blue scrubs. On the left, a quote from Powell: ‘Not all facilities are taking the steps necessary to protect their staff.’” https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1359208234419159045?s=20
If someone added alt text like that to the file in their tweet or FB post, you’ll be able to see it on desktop if you right click on the image and click “inspect.”
If there’s no alt text, you’ll just see “<img alt=”Image” when you do this, or you might see automated text on FB.
If there’s no alt text, you’ll just see “<img alt=”Image” when you do this, or you might see automated text on FB.
Here’s more on steps you take to add alt text on platforms. If you're a social manager using a third-party app, they should ideally have a way for you to add alt text while scheduling posts. You'll have to add it to Instagram posts manually bc of its API. https://veroniiiica.com/2019/10/08/how-to-add-alt-text-on-social-media/
Taking this extra step helps your social presence be accessible and signals to readers who use assistive technologies that you are making an effort to serve them.
If this is the first you’re hearing about this, I'm not here to shame you — the knowledge isn't as widespread as it should be and I only started doing it a year ago.
Whether you’re a social manager or anyone using social media, you can and should use alt text!
Whether you’re a social manager or anyone using social media, you can and should use alt text!
(But I will say there isn't a good excuse for national news orgs with huge social teams to not already be writing alt text consistently across platforms. If anyone with the influence to make it happen at those orgs reads this, consider it a challenge to help us raise the bar.)
The @texastribune social team began using alt text thanks to the influence of @s_m_i, who holds us to the highest accessibility standard. Readers have noticed.
It’s not too late to start! My DMs are open to help or answer Q's (I'm still learning too)
It’s not too late to start! My DMs are open to help or answer Q's (I'm still learning too)
