The accessible future of social media starts now

World Social Media Day is coming up this Sunday, June 30th. It’s time for a seismic shift in social media, where every post, tweet, and story is accessible to people with disabilities. This isn’t a philanthropic concept about to be born. It’s the new reality in a world where social media is the heartbeat of communication, entertainment, and business. But it’s also a recent regulatory requirement that intersects with an undeniable business opportunity. 

A controversial new ADA ruling that’s long overdue

A new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires social media posts to be accessible to people with disabilities. And there’s been a lot of pushback from certain public voices and industry trade groups. They argue that social media posts are just like ads and should be immune to these regulations. I say that’s a shortsighted, downright self-defeating perspective. I see this ruling not as a regulatory hurdle but as a call to innovate, a chance to reimagine how we design and interact with digital content. 

Tapping into an underserved market

Most of the web, including social media, is still inaccessible to people with disabilities. Yet, this critical demographic has enormous buying power—working-aged adults with disabilities in the U.S. alone control an estimated $490B in disposable annual income.

So, digital inclusivity isn't just a legal obligation or ethical posturing. It’s a modern-day gold rush with one glaring exception. To reach the bounty, you don’t have to traverse deadly mountainous terrain in a covered wagon. You just need the right assistive tech provider like UserWay and a reasonable budget to expand your reach through social media. 

Any business leader worth a damn should be in hot pursuit of bridging this digital divide. I offer some tips on making that happen below. 

A launching point to accessibility

1. Alt text for images: Every image you post must include descriptive alt text. Visually impaired users can "see" your content through their screen readers. It's about creating a visual narrative that everyone can experience.

2. Captioning for videos: This isn't just for people with hearing impairments but for anyone who benefits from text accompaniment. Think of it as giving your videos a global, inclusive voice.

3. Keyboard navigation: Your social media platform must be navigable by keyboard alone, a game-changer for motor-disabled users. It’s about making sure everyone can interact with your content effortlessly.

4. Color contrast and text size: Adequate color contrast and adjustable text sizes ensure your content is accessible to those with visual impairments or cognitive impairments, like dyslexia. 

5. Capitalize hashtags: This technique, also known as Camel Case, Title Case, or Pascal Case, helps ensure everyone can read the hashtag correctly.

6. Limit emoji use: Avoid using emojis as a replacement for text and don’t rely on emojis to convey your intended message. Emojis are best placed at the end of a sentence or caption.

Tech titans on the move

The tech giants are already gearing up for this social media sea change. Behemoths like X, Facebook, and Instagram are rolling out updates to comply with these new accessibility standards. These changes are more than just compliance—they're about enhancing everyone's user experience.

Time to act

To the creators, innovators, and disruptors, this is our moment. The new Title II ADA ruling challenges us to elevate our digital game.

It's time to build and design with accessibility at the core of our efforts. When we make technology accessible, we unleash its true potential. Let's seize this moment, embrace this change, and build a social media world where everyone can thrive. Get ready to innovate like never before.

Image description for article cover photo: Promotional banner for Allon's LinkedIn article. Main text reads: "The accessible future of social media starts now." Beneath this text reads "World Social Media Day - June 30." Above the text is the official UserWay logo. On the right side of the image is a headshot of UserWay CEO Allon Mason against a blue and purple gradient background, with a stylized UserWay logo behind him.