Greater Lowell Technical High School
Accessibility Quick Guides
Printable 8.5 x 11 Guide
Quick Start Accessibility by Content Type
Social Media
Write in plain language, add your own alt text, caption every video, use CamelCase hashtags, and limit emoji use.
Quick Focus
- Write your own alt text and review any AI-generated descriptions before publishing.
- Caption video and summarize key visual content in the post text when needed.
- Use CamelCase hashtags, concise copy, and restrained emoji use for better screen reader output.
Core Guidance
Do This First
- Write the post clearly. Lead with the main point, break content into short paragraphs, and keep hashtags and emoji from overwhelming the message.
- Add media access. Provide alt text for images, captions for video, and a transcript or summary when the media carries important detail.
- Review the finished post. Check contrast in text-on-image graphics, confirm hashtags use CamelCase, and make sure the post still works without the media.
Images
- Describe the purpose and context of the image, not just what is physically visible.
- Repeat important text that appears inside an image in the post or alt text.
- Mark decorative images appropriately when a platform allows it and the image adds no new information.
Video
- Review and correct auto-generated captions before publishing.
- Add a transcript or short summary when the spoken or visual detail matters.
- For essential visual-only information, add spoken description or describe it in the post.
Writing
- Use plain language, short sentences, and paragraph breaks.
- Place hashtags near the end and write them in CamelCase such as #CareerTechnicalEducation.
- Use emoji sparingly and avoid using them as bullets or the only indicator of meaning.
Common Problems to Catch
- Posting screenshots or quote cards with no equivalent text.
- Trusting auto alt text or auto captions without review.
- Using walls of hashtags or emoji that create noisy screen reader output.
- Relying on color alone in infographics, status graphics, or stories.
Key WCAG 2.1 AA Checkpoints
- SC 1.1.1 Non-text Content Images and graphics need text alternatives that preserve the message.
- SC 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) Videos with audio need captions.
- SC 1.4.1 Use of Color Do not use color as the only way to show status or categories in social graphics.
- SC 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) Text within graphics should stay readable against the background.
- SC 3.1.1 Language of Page Platform language settings should match the language of the content.