Best Practices for Instagram Story Accessibility and Inclusivity

Best practices for Instagram Story accessibility and inclusivity include adding alt text to images, using captions for videos and stories, formatting hashtags with CamelCase (capitalizing the first letter of each word), using clear and concise language, and applying accessible design principles such as high contrast and simple fonts. Additionally, emojis should be used carefully to avoid confusing screen readers, and image descriptions can provide extra context for users with visual impairments.

Key details:

• Alt Text: Write descriptive, relevant alt text (under 125 characters) for images to help screen readers convey the content to visually impaired users. Instagram allows manual editing of alt text in Advanced Settings.

• Captions and Subtitles: Always add captions to videos and stories to support users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Auto-generated captions may need editing for accuracy.

• Hashtag Formatting: Use CamelCase (e.g., #SummerVacation) to make hashtags readable by screen readers and easier to understand for users with cognitive disabilities.

• Emojis and Text: Use emojis sparingly and ensure surrounding text is clear and simple to avoid screen reader confusion. Avoid overusing emojis or placing them in ways that break sentence flow.

• Accessible Design: Use high contrast colours (e.g., black text on white background), avoid fancy or decorative fonts, and keep text concise and straightforward to aid readability for all users.

• Image Descriptions: Include detailed image descriptions in captions to provide additional context beyond alt text, benefiting users who rely on screen readers or have cognitive disabilities.

• Inclusive Language: Write in plain language, avoid jargon, spell out acronyms, and use short sentences to improve comprehension for diverse audiences.

Implementing these practices helps ensure Instagram Stories are accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments, expanding your content’s reach and engagement.