Holiday content on IG that EVERYONE can enjoy

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I don't have any data to back it up, but it seems like we spend extra time on Instagram this time of year. Posting pics from the latest holiday gathering, searching for the perfect party appetizer ... or scrolling on repeat because it's too cold to play outside.

You might be able to enjoy the IG content without barriers, but can your friends with physical disabilities? Or how about people you know who may rely on a language translation app? Digital accessibility refers to making your digital content usable for as many people as possible. Here are three moves you can start today to make your Instagram post more accessible.

Alt Text

Alt text describes photos for people with visual impairments. A screen reader device will read the image description. When creating a new post on Instagram, scroll down below the caption and location. Choose Advanced Settings and go to Accessibility / Write Alt Text.

  • Write 1 or 2 detailed sentences describing the photo. Consider the subject, settings, and any actions or interactions taking place in the photo.
  • Don't start with "picture of... " or "image of... ".
  • There is no need to add alt text to decorative images.

For a deeper dive into Alt Text, check out this article from Microsoft: Everything you need to know to write effective alt text.



Captions

Adding captions to stories and reels on Instagram is a positive practice. Also, consider how many people consume Instagram with the volume down or off. You decide whether it makes sense depending on the content.

  1. Record and upload video
  2. Choose the create button (square smiley face)
  3. Choose Captions (you may need to search for it)
  4. Edit captions as needed
I enjoyed this blog post from the Instagram blog, Advancing Accessibility on Instagram. In May 2021, Instagram launched Live Rooms. They have seen some creators include American Sign Language interpreters in public meetings like press briefings and constituent Q & As. So cool!


Hashtags

Hashtags can be a helpful tool for discovering content ... or getting your content discovered. But they can be tricky for people who rely on screen readers. A screen reader device will read all the letters as if smushed together. The solution is to use camel case. Be sure to capitalize the first letter of each word. Committing to camel case also supports people with reading challenges. 

Yes: #DiversityAndInclusion
No: #diversityandinclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read my post on Instagram accessibility! We can do this!

Kristin Patrick, Blended Learning Coach


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