How accessible is social media for someone with sight loss?
Many aspects of social media are very visual, with an emphasis on the sharing of images, photographs and videos. However, social media companies have worked hard to ensure that their platforms are accessible to blind and partially sighted users.
All social media platforms make it possible for users to add alternative text (alt text) to describe their pictures, so a blind or partially sighted person can hear a summary of what is featured in the image. Many have also started using object recognition software to add alt text to pictures, ensuring an audio description is available for all images. You can find out more about automatic alt text on The Verge website.
If you have sight loss it is possible for you to participate fully in social media and join in both following other people’s posts and creating exciting content of your own.
Further information about Social Media can be found on RNIB's Guide to accessible social media webpage.
