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General Guidelines
- If an image is important enough to post, it’s important enough to describe.
Images should include alternative text (alt text) so people using screen readers can understand what the image conveys.
- Don’t rely on visuals alone.
Important information should appear in the post text as well as in the media.
- Write descriptive post text.
Your post should help provide context for the image or video rather than relying entirely on the media.
- Limit hashtags and mentions in the main sentence.
Place hashtags and tagged accounts at the end of the post to reduce interruptions for screen reader users.
- Use CamelCase for hashtags.
Example: #NorthIdahoCollege instead of #northidahocollege.
Photo Post Recommendations
Add Alternative Text to Images
X supports alt text for images, but it must be added manually.
How to Add Alt Text
- Upload your image to a post.
- Click the “Add description” button that appears on the image preview.
- Write a clear description of the image.
- Save the description before posting.
Alt text on X supports up to 1000 characters, but most effective descriptions are 1–2 sentences.
Writing Effective Alt Text
- Describe what is important or meaningful in the image.
- Include context relevant to the post.
- Avoid repeating the entire post text.
- If the image contains important text (like an event flyer), include that information in the post text as well.
Example
Post text:
Spring Kickoff happening today at the Student Union!
Alt text:
Three students holding coffee cups and smiling at a table during the North Idaho College Spring Kickoff event outside the Student Union.
Avoid Images with Important Text
Event flyers, announcements, or graphics often contain text embedded in the image.
Best practice:
- Repeat all important text in the post itself.
- Do not rely on alt text alone to communicate key details.
Video Post Recommendations
Caption Speech and Important Sounds
Videos should include captions so viewers who are Deaf or hard of hearing can understand the audio.
Captions should include:
- Spoken dialogue
- Speaker identification when necessary
- Important sound effects (e.g., cheering, laughter, alarms)
Unlike some video platforms, caption support on X may require captions to be embedded in the video file before uploading.
Provide Context for Visual Information
If a video contains important visual information that is not spoken aloud, describe that information:
- Integrate it into the narration when possible.
- Or summarize the key visuals in the post text.
Example
Post text:
NIC wrestlers playing mushroom ball during conditioning practice today. A giant foam ball rolls across the mat while two teams try to push it into the opposing side.
This provides context even if someone cannot fully see the video.
Animated GIF Recommendations
GIFs are common on X but are often inaccessible.
Best practices:
- Avoid GIFs that convey important information.
- Provide context in the post text explaining what the GIF shows.
- Avoid flashing or rapidly looping animations that may trigger seizures.
Formatting Tips for Screen Reader Users
- Use CamelCase hashtags: #NorthIdahoCollege
- Place hashtags at the end of the post.
- Avoid excessive emoji use.
- Avoid writing large blocks of ALL CAPS (screen readers may read letter-by-letter).
Common Accessibility Mistakes on X
- Posting images without alt text
- Event flyers that only exist as images
- GIFs that convey meaning without explanation
- Videos without captions
- Long strings of hashtags interrupting sentence flow
Why Accessibility Matters on X
Accessible posts allow people who are:
- Blind or low vision
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Using screen readers
- Viewing content without sound
- Experiencing cognitive or sensory differences to fully understand and engage with your content.
Accessibility also improves clarity and communication for all readers.