Accessibility for Social Media

This page outlines best practices to help ensure Monroe Community College’s social media content is accessible, inclusive, and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Accessible content allows all users, including individuals with visual, hearing, cognitive, and motor disabilities, to engage with our digital platforms fully.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessible social media:

  • Ensures equal access to information
  • Supports MCC’s commitment to inclusion
  • Improves user experience for everyone
  • Reduces legal and compliance risks
  • Expands reach and engagement

General Accessibility Principles

When creating social media content, aim to make it:

  • Perceivable – Users can see or hear the content
  • Operable – Users can interact with it
  • Understandable – Content is clear and simple
  • Robust – Works with assistive technologies

Images and Graphics

Use Alternative Text (Alt Text)

  • Always add descriptive alt text to images
  • Describe important visual information
  • Keep descriptions clear and concise
  • Avoid starting with “image of” or “picture of”

Example:

Students studying together in the MCC library using laptops

Some platforms have character limits for their alt text fields. Known character limits are listed below.

  • LinkedIn: 1,000 characters
  • TikTok: 300 characters
  • Facebook: Recommended under 150 characters
  • Instagram: Allows for up to 100-250 characters
  • X: 1,000 characters

Avoid Text-Heavy Images

  • Do not place important information only in images
  • If text is included, repeat it in the caption
  • Use high contrast between text and background

Color Contrast

  • Use a strong contrast between text and background
  • Avoid light text on light backgrounds
  • Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning

Videos and Audio Content

Captions

  • All videos must include accurate, synchronized captions
  • Use platform caption tools whenever possible
  • Review auto-captions for errors

Transcripts

  • Provide transcripts for longer videos and audio clips
  • Include speaker identification when relevant

Audio Descriptions

  • When visuals are essential, describe them verbally
  • Include key visual information in narration

Writing Accessible Captions and Posts

Use Plain Language

  • Write clearly and simply
  • Avoid jargon and unexplained acronyms
  • Keep sentences short and direct

Hashtags

  • Use CamelCase for hashtags
  • Capitalize the first letter of each word
  • Limit hashtags to improve readability

Example:

#MonroeCommunityCollege #MCCProud

Emojis

  • Use emojis sparingly
  • Place emojis at the end of sentences when possible
  • Avoid replacing words with emojis

Links and Calls to Action

Descriptive Links

  • Use clear, meaningful link text
  • Avoid “Click here” or “Read more”

Example:

Apply for Fall Semester: www.monroecc.edu/quick-links/apply/

Shortened Links

  • Use trusted link shorteners only when necessary
  • Ensure shortened links are accessible

Platform-Specific Tips

Instagram and Facebook

  • Always add alt text to images
  • Use closed captions for Reels and videos
  • Avoid flashing or rapidly changing content

X (Twitter)

  • Enable image descriptions
  • Use concise, accessible language
  • Avoid excessive hashtags

TikTok

  • Add in-app captions
  • Avoid fast, unreadable text overlays
  • Ensure spoken content is clear

LinkedIn

  • Use professional, accessible language
  • Caption all videos
  • Add alt text to images

Instagram Stories Accessibility

Instagram Stories are widely used at MCC and must be created with accessibility in mind, even though they are temporary.

Add Text Alternatives

  • Do not rely on visuals alone to convey important information
  • Repeat key details using on-screen text
  • When possible, restate important information in a follow-up post or caption

Use High-Contrast Text

  • Choose a strong color contrast between text and background
  • Avoid placing text over busy images or patterns
  • Use solid or semi-transparent background boxes when needed

Use Readable Fonts and Sizes

  • Select simple, sans-serif fonts
  • Avoid decorative or script fonts
  • Make text large enough to read on small screens

Caption Videos in Stories

  • Use Instagram’s automatic caption sticker for spoken content
  • Review captions for accuracy
  • Do not rely only on audio for key messages

Limit Animation and Movement

  • Avoid flashing, strobing, or rapidly moving elements
  • Minimize excessive transitions or effects
  • Keep content visually calm and easy to follow

Be Mindful of Stickers and GIFs

  • Avoid placing stickers over important text
  • Do not overuse animated GIFs
  • Ensure interactive elements are easy to tap

Provide Context for Links and Polls

  • Clearly explain what users are clicking or responding to
  • Use descriptive language for link and poll stickers

Example:

Apply for Fall 2026 using the link in this story. Deadline: March 15.

When to Use Feed Posts Instead

If important information must be retained long-term or requires detailed context, consider sharing it as a regular post or web page in addition to Stories.

PDFs, Flyers, and Shared Documents

When sharing documents:

  • Use accessible PDF formats
  • Include searchable text
  • Add headings and tags
  • Ensure proper reading order

When possible, link to accessible web pages instead of PDFs.

Accessibility Checklist (Before Posting)

Before publishing content, confirm:

  • Alt text is added to all images
  • Videos include captions
  • Important text is in the caption
  • Color contrast is sufficient
  • Hashtags use CamelCase
  • Links are descriptive
  • Emojis are minimal

Common Accessibility Mistakes to Avoid

  • Posting images without alt text
  • Relying only on auto-captions
  • Using low-contrast graphics
  • Overusing emojis and hashtags
  • Sharing text-only flyers as images
  • Embedding important info only in stories

Roles and Responsibilities

All MCC staff managing social media accounts are responsible for:

  • Creating accessible content
  • Reviewing posts for compliance
  • Staying informed on accessibility updates
  • Reporting accessibility concerns

Reporting Accessibility Issues

If you encounter accessibility barriers on MCC social media platforms, please email the Marketing, Web, and Social Media Office (MarketingandWeb@monroecc.edu).

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing commitment. MCC will:

  • Review guidelines regularly
  • Update practices as standards evolve
  • Provide training opportunities
  • Encourage feedback from the community

Together, we can ensure our social media platforms are welcoming and accessible to all.

Resources