Greater Lowell Technical High School Accessibility Quick Guides

Accessibility Quick Guides

Quick Start Accessibility by Content Type

Social Media

Accessible social media helps more people understand the message the first time they see it. Use alt text, captions, plain language, and clear visual design instead of relying only on platform defaults or auto-generated descriptions.

Open Print Version (8.5 x 11)

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

  1. Write the post clearly. Lead with the main point, break content into short paragraphs, and keep hashtags and emoji from overwhelming the message.
  2. Add media access. Provide alt text for images, captions for video, and a transcript or summary when the media carries important detail.
  3. 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.

Essential Checks

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

High-value checkpoints for social media work
Success Criterion What to confirm
SC 1.1.1 Non-text ContentImages 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 ColorDo 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 PagePlatform language settings should match the language of the content.