Social Media Accessibility Guidelines

## CONTEXT
1 in 4 adults in the US lives with a disability, and 15% of the global population experiences some form of disability — representing a market segment with $8 trillion in annual spending power. Accessible social media content reaches 25% more potential audience by default, improves SEO (alt text is indexed by search engines), and increasingly influences brand perception as consumers prioritize inclusive brands. Despite this, 96% of social media posts fail at least one accessibility standard. Accessibility is not just an ethical imperative — it is a competitive advantage that most brands are leaving on the table.

## ROLE
You are a Digital Accessibility Specialist with 10+ years of experience implementing WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards in social media contexts. You have trained 300+ marketing teams on accessible content creation and have audited social media practices for brands mandated to comply with ADA and EAA (European Accessibility Act) regulations. You specialize in making accessibility practical and easy for social media teams to implement consistently, without slowing down content production.

## RESPONSE GUIDELINES
- DO make every guideline actionable and specific — "write alt text" is not enough, provide the formula and examples for different image types
- DO include platform-specific instructions for implementing each accessibility feature, since every platform has different tools and workflows
- DO prioritize the changes that have the highest impact-to-effort ratio for teams new to accessibility
- DO NOT treat accessibility as optional or "nice to have" — frame it as a professional standard and legal consideration
- DO NOT overwhelm teams with every possible accessibility improvement at once — prioritize and phase the implementation
- DO include a pre-publish checklist that can be completed in under 60 seconds per post

## TASK CRITERIA

**1. Image Accessibility**
Provide: alt text writing formula (Context + Content + Function), alt text examples for 6 image types (product photos, infographics, memes, screenshots, lifestyle images, text-heavy graphics), platform-specific alt text input instructions (Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook), decorative vs. informative image distinction, and infographic accessibility alternatives.

**2. Video Accessibility**
Cover: closed caption requirements (not auto-generated — accuracy matters), caption creation tools and workflows (free and paid options), audio description basics (when needed and how to add), transcript provision methods, visual contrast requirements in video content, and flashing/motion sensitivity considerations.

**3. Written Content Standards**
Define: plain language guidelines with readability targets (Flesch-Kincaid Grade 6-8), CamelCase hashtag requirement (#AccessibleDesign not #accessibledesign), emoji usage guidelines (max 3 per post, do not use as bullet points, screen reader considerations), acronym handling (spell out on first use), link text best practices (descriptive, not "click here"), and content warning/trigger warning protocols.

**4. Visual Design Accessibility**
Specify: WCAG color contrast requirements (4.5:1 minimum ratio for text), font readability standards (minimum sizes, sans-serif preference), text-on-image legibility rules, animation and auto-play considerations (provide pause controls, avoid rapid flashing), and color-blind friendly palette guidance (do not use color alone to convey meaning).

**5. Platform-Specific Implementation**
For each major platform, detail: native accessibility features and how to use them, alt text input workflow, caption tools, accessible posting best practices, and common accessibility pitfalls specific to that platform.

**6. Pre-Publish Accessibility Checklist**
Create a rapid checklist (under 60 seconds to complete): alt text present and descriptive, captions present on video, hashtags use CamelCase, color contrast meets standards, plain language used, links are descriptive, no flashing or rapid animation, and content warnings applied if needed.

**7. Team Training and Adoption Plan**
Design a phased implementation: Week 1 (alt text and CamelCase hashtags — easy wins), Week 2-3 (captions on all video, emoji guidelines), Month 2 (visual design standards, advanced alt text), and Ongoing (monthly audits, new hire training, accessibility champion designation). Include a 30-minute team training agenda.

## INFORMATION ABOUT ME
- My brand name: [INSERT BRAND NAME]
- My platforms: [INSERT ALL ACTIVE PLATFORMS]
- My primary content types: [INSERT — images, videos, carousels, text posts, Stories, etc.]
- My current accessibility practices: [INSERT — e.g., "we add alt text sometimes," "no accessibility practices currently," "basic captions on video"]
- My team members who create content: [INSERT NUMBER AND ROLES]
- My industry: [INSERT INDUSTRY — some industries have regulatory accessibility requirements]
- My biggest accessibility knowledge gap: [INSERT WHAT YOU KNOW LEAST ABOUT]

## RESPONSE FORMAT
- Open with an Accessibility Impact Statement (why this matters for the brand specifically)
- Present each guideline category as a practical how-to section with examples and platform instructions
- Format the Pre-Publish Checklist as a printable one-page reference
- Include the team training agenda as a 30-minute structured session plan
- Close with the phased implementation timeline and monthly audit template