Accessibility

Under Title II of the ADA, public universities must ensure digital content, including social media, is accessible. Beginning April 26, 2027, new social media posts must meet accessibility standards consistent with WCAG 2.1 AA. Posts published before this deadline are generally exempt from the new technical requirements, but existing ADA accessibility obligations still apply. All content creators should follow accessible practices now.

Accessibility Requirements

All content must be accessible for people of all abilities. This includes:

• Images: Provide meaningful alt text that communicates the image's purpose and relevant information
• Videos: Include accurate captions for spoken content and meaningful sounds. Ensure essential visual information is communicated through the video's audio, using audio description when needed. Written descriptions in post captions can provide additional context
• Structure: Use clear formatting, headings, lists and meaningful link text
• Hashtags: Use CamelCase for multi-word hashtags
• Visuals: Use high color contrast and avoid text-heavy graphics or flyers
• Assistive technology compatibility: Ensure content works with screen readers and other tools

Accessible content ensures everyone can engage fully with your posts.

Deeper Dive into Social Media Accessibility

Video Descriptions

Whenever possible, plan videos so important visual information is communicated through the spoken audio. This includes relevant on-screen text, actions, settings and other details needed to understand the content.

• When the video's audio doesn't convey essential visual information, incorporate that information into the spoken narration or provide audio description.
• Written video descriptions may also be included at the end of social media post captions to provide additional visual context. These descriptions supplement, but do not replace, required audio description.
• Keep written descriptions concise and focused on meaningful visual information. Avoid repeating dialogue or information already communicated through the audio.
• Identify people by name when their identity is known and relevant to the content.
• When the video's audio already communicates all essential visual information, additional audio description is not necessary.

Example of a written video description
Video description: Stan State alumna Naomi Carrera speaks into a microphone during a Beyond the Classroom podcast interview. The video cuts to podcast host Lanai Torres as the two share a playful exchange inside a Stan State campus building.

AI-Generated and AI-Assisted Content

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools may assist with social media content development, but AI-generated and AI-assisted content must meet the same accessibility, accuracy, quality and University brand standards as other content. All AI-assisted content must be reviewed by a person before publication.

AI-Generated Graphics and Images

• Avoid using generative AI to create flyers, text-heavy graphics or images containing essential written information.
• Keep text within graphics minimal and provide essential information in the post copy or another accessible format.
• Review AI-generated images for distorted or inaccurate text, visual errors and other generated artifacts.
• Do not use AI to recreate or modify official University logos, wordmarks or other brand elements.
• Do not use AI-generated imagery to depict actual Stan State students, employees, events, facilities or experiences in a way that could reasonably be mistaken for authentic photography.
• When authentic Stan State photography is available and appropriate, prioritize real people, places and experiences.

AI and Accessibility

AI-generated content must meet the same accessibility requirements as all other social media content.

• AI tools may help draft alt text, but AI-generated alt text must be reviewed and edited by a person before publication.
• Write alt text based on the final image and its purpose within the post, not the prompt used to generate the image.
• Keep alt text concise while providing enough information to communicate the image's meaning and purpose. Do not rely on arbitrary word or character limits.
• Review automatically generated video captions and correct errors before publishing.
• Do not use AI-generated graphics as a substitute for accessible design.
• Do not place essential information exclusively within an image when it can be provided as accessible text.

Responsibilities

Accessibility applies to content created by employees, student assistants working in an official capacity and third-party vendors producing content on behalf of the University.

Anyone creating or publishing social media content on behalf of the University is responsible for reviewing content for accessibility before publication, including alt text, video captions, audio descriptions when needed and accessible post copy. This responsibility also applies to AI-generated and AI-assisted content.

Reporting

To report an accessibility issue or request an accessible version of University social media content, contact socialmedia@csustan.edu. Please include a link to the content and a brief description of the accessibility issue so the appropriate team can review and respond.