• Is a written description of a visual that is posted on social media; also known as an “image description” or “alt text.”
• Use simple, clear language. You may need to include more information to provide better context.
• Not the same as a caption, which may or may not explain what the image is.
• Empowers those with disabilities or impairments (such as vision or learning disabilities) to fully digest your content.
• The alt text is accessible to those who need it through screen readers.
• Screen readers read both the alt text and social media captions.
• Screen readers cannot read text that is part of a photo.
• When writing alt text for a designed image with text on it, write the text out into complete sentences. This may require more words than what appears on the image. See Twitter example below for reference.
• Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn have places to add alt text / image descriptions when you are getting ready to publish a post with an image/photo/visual.

Examples

Luka stands outside in the Grove after a recent snowfall. He poses for a photo and wears a maroon crewneck.

A female graduate pauses while walking across the stage at Commencement. She holds up her diploma cover and is wearing full regalia.

This image was designed for using specifically on Twitter. When posting this on Twitter, you can write, “You’re invited to a virtual meet and greet for Admitted Students at Ramapo College.” The caption would then include the date, time, and method of registering via a webpage/URL.

• Follow “Camel Case” format by capitalizing the first letter of each word in multi-word hashtags.
• Helps screen readers read your hashtags correctly
• Makes it easier to read your hashtags in general
• Examples: #RamapoCollege #MondayMotivation #RCNJ #WeAreRCNJ #CapsOffRCNJ

Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn:

• Links are clickable and encouraged
• Always add when directing someone to go somewhere online off Twitter, even Archway or Handshake
• Make it as easy as possible for your followers to get where they need to go

Instagram

• Links in captions do not work (not clickable) for Feed posts
• Use “Link in bio” in caption for Feed Posts
  • Check out how @RCNJAdmissions uses LinkTree to offer access to various webpages just by clicking the one link in their bio.
• Add a link with the “link sticker” in an Instagram Story

• You may have noticed that some accounts use special fonts in their usernames, names or captions on social. 
• These usually affect the look of the text – sometimes makes thinner, sometimes makes it look bolder, sometimes they look like they’re in cursive
• These special fonts are not recommended for use at any time as they are inaccessible for screen readers and do not show to certain, older mobile devices.
• Limit excessive characters or emojis – these slow screen readers down and/or don’t work/show at all.
  • Did you know?
    • Screen readers can read emojis! 
    • Screen readers cannot read text such as 🙂 as a smiley face.

• Colors used for fonts, backgrounds and designed pieces
  • Don’t want to worry about your designed images not meeting accessibility standards? Use Marketing & Communications’ Graphic Design services and we’ve got you covered.
• Captions for videos – ideally videos should always have captions if there’s a voice over or a person speaking on camera.
  • The best option for captions on social are “burned on” or “open” captions – meaning they always show, even if the sound is on.
  • Closed captions are ideal if you can’t do burned on captions. Closed need to be toggled on by the viewer.