Images should not exclude people who use screen readers or have low vision.

Many social media platforms allow you to add alternative text (alt text) to images.

What to do

• Add alt text where the platform provides this option.
• Do not rely on automatic image descriptions.
• Describe the important information in the image.
• Keep alt text concise and relevant.
• Avoid phrases like “Image of…” as screen readers already identify images.
• Avoid using images that contain large amounts of text where possible.
• Ensure text within images has good colour contrast.

If you share an event poster or graphic, repeat key details (such as date, time and location) in the post text.

Many users watch videos without sound. Others rely on captions.

Captions and audio

• Add captions to videos.
• Review and correct auto-generated captions before publishing.
• Do not rely on audio alone to convey important information.
• Avoid content that flashes more than three times per second.
• Avoid excessive or distracting animations.

Captions support people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and those watching in sound-off environments.

On-screen text

Text overlays in videos must also be accessible.

• Ensure on-screen text is large and readable on mobile devices.
• Use good colour contrast between text and background.
• Keep text visible long enough to read.
• Repeat important information in the caption or description.
• Avoid placing essential information where platform interface elements may cover it.

Live streams

Live streams and stories should also be accessible.

• Enable live captions where available.
• Describe important visual information verbally during the stream.
• Save recordings where possible and add captions afterwards.
• Automatic live captions may not be fully accurate, so review recordings where possible.

Social media posts should be clear, respectful and inclusive.

What to do

• Use plain English.
• Keep sentences short.
• Avoid unexplained acronyms or jargon.
• Use line breaks to structure longer posts.
• Avoid large blocks of text.
• Use inclusive language and avoid stereotypes or assumptions.
• Avoid ableist language (for example, terms that stigmatise disability or mental health).
• Do not make assumptions about someone’s identity, and use correct names and pronouns where known.
• Avoid humour or sarcasm that could exclude or alienate audiences.

Clear and inclusive writing improves engagement and helps ensure everyone feels welcome in our digital spaces.

Most social media platforms do not allow custom descriptive link text.

What to do

• Introduce links clearly in the sentence before the URL.
• Explain where the link goes.
• Indicate if the link leads to a PDF, video or external site.
• Avoid posting a URL without context.

Hashtags should be readable by screen readers.

What to do

• Use CamelCase (for example, #DigitalInclusion).
• Keep hashtags relevant and limited in number.
• Avoid placing large blocks of hashtags in the middle of a sentence.

Screen readers read out emoji descriptions.

What to do

• Use emojis sparingly.
• Avoid placing multiple emojis in a row.
• Place emojis at the end of a sentence rather than in the middle.
• Do not use emojis as a substitute for words.

Before posting:

• Confirm alt text has been added where available.
• Check captions for accuracy.
• Ensure key information is not only shown in images or video text.
• Test links.
• Review the post on a mobile device.

Accessibility features vary between platforms and may change over time.

Review the platform’s own accessibility guidance for detailed, up-to-date advice on available features and limitations.