Accessibility Guidelines for Social Media Posts
Social media messages that are posted on behalf of Eastern Washington University must meet accessibility standards by April 26, 2027, according to the revised ruling on digital accessibility published by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule, and the law that underwrites it, ensures that all persons with disabilities are given equitable access to the materials that those without disabilities have.
Per those guidelines, only posts made after the (updated) April 26, 2027 deadline need to be fully accessible. Any content posted before that date is exempt. Here are some common items social media issues to check for:
- All images need alt text entered – unless they are purely decorative in nature
- All videos and reels should include captions – whether open or closed
- Color contrast needs to meet specific, measurable accessibility requirements
Instructional Guides for Social Media Platforms