If a Penn State unit is using a social media outlet as a method of outreach, then the unit should evaluate the platform and message to ensure that it as accessible as possible.
Below are some criteria to evaluate:
Platform Usability
Is the platform usable on all platforms? Ideally, a social media platform should include
- Headings or other method for a screen reader to distinguish posts.
- Usable link text.
- Keyboard shortcuts for users.
- A method for sighted keyboard users to determine where the cursor is.
Editor Tools
A social media platform which supports multimedia and long posts should also allow the following for content editors:
- Add image ALT text to uploaded images
- Add video captions to embedded videos (and/or an audio description as needed).
- Add headings to long posts as needed, particularly blog posts.
Backup Posts
Another recommendation for social media is to provide a link to a Penn State hosted version which is fully accessible.
Social Media Accessibility Links
Here are some links to some key social media accessibility information pages.
- Facebook Accessibility
- Instagram Accessibility
- LinkedIn Accessibility
- TikTok Accessibility
- X (formerly "Twitter") Accessibility
Last Update: June 10, 2024