Accessibility

Under Title II of the ADA, public universities must ensure digital content, including social media, meets accessibility standards consistent with WCAG 2.1 AA. Beginning April 26, 2027, new social media posts must be accessible through practices such as alt text, captions and readable structure. You do not need to update older content unless someone requests an accessible version.

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 or transcripts for spoken content and provide video descriptions when important visual information is not communicated through the audio
• 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

Video descriptions provide context for meaningful visual information that may not be available through a video's dialogue, narration or captions.

• Describe visual information that is important to understanding the content, such as people, actions, settings and relevant on-screen text.
• Keep descriptions concise and focused on information that adds meaning or context.
• Do not repeat dialogue or other information already communicated through the video's audio or captions.
• Identify people by name when their identity is known and relevant to the content.
• Video descriptions may be included at the end of the social media caption when the platform does not provide a dedicated field.

Example:
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 ensuring that AI-generated or AI-assisted content also meets these requirements.

Reporting

Public entities must provide a simple way for individuals to report accessibility issues or request accessible versions of content, such as a designated email address or form.