Social Media Post Accessibility Testing Checklist

Perform the following accessibility checks to ensure your social media posts are accessible.

Overview

The following accessibility checks are phrased as yes/no questions; a “Yes” response means the document or content passes the check, while a “No” response means an accessibility issue is present and should be remediated.

Accessibility checks are categorized by the level of skill required to perform the check. Level 1 checks are the simplest to perform, while level 4 checks require more advanced skills.   Each level builds from the checks in the previous level. Digital content creators can develop their accessibility skills by learning how to perform more advanced checks. 

• Level 1: Run automated tests and fix any errors found
• Level 2: Manual verification of visible content
• Level 3: Manual verification of document properties
• Level 4: Preparing to finalize 

Level 1: Test with Automated Tools and Fix Findings  

• Is the use of color only to indicate meaning avoided in graphics?
• Do all images have meaningful alt text?
• Does the color contrast of text in images meet 4.5:1 for text and 3:1 for large text and images minimum contrast requirements? 

Level 2: Check Visible Content and Fix Findings

• Are camelCase or PascalCase used to identify multiple words in a hashtag (e.g., #TheMoreYouKnow)?
• Are hyperlinks added to the end of the post before any appended hashtags?
• Are emojis used sparingly?
• Do posted videos and audio files contain closed captions, audio description when necessary, and is there a link to a transcript? 

Level 3: Check Document Properties and Fix Findings 

• Is plain language used, avoiding jargon, and spelling out abbreviations?
• Are non-standard characters avoided?
• Is directional and/or sensory language avoided (e.g., “the image to the right” or “the blue icon”)?
• Is the content visible in high contrast mode and dark theme?
• Are images of text avoided or, if necessary, linked to a page with the accessible text available?
• Are emojis or other non-standard symbols avoided for bulleted and numbered lists? 

Level 4: Preparation and Final Steps 

• Are text alternatives provided as links to accessible text for complex charts and graphs?
• Are excessive carriage returns or line breaks avoided to create white space between characters or sentences?
• Are graphics clear and understandable in grayscale?
• Is language translation provided for critical information? 

Downloads

Additional Resources

Social Media Post Accessibility  Video Accessibility