To make Missouri State University-West Plains’ a more inclusive experience, it is important that your social media content be accessible to all. Please help create an inclusive social media experience by following these guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact Content and Marketing Strategist Drew Clark.

• Before posting a video, make sure it includes captions. Facebook and Instagram can auto caption videos for you. It is important to review these captions carefully to ensure all names are spelled correctly and there are no other mistakes.
• Include image descriptions or alt text, especially when posting graphics, to ensure the information is accessible to anyone using a screen reader. You can use alternative text on platforms that have that option, or you can put the description right in the caption of a post. Read your description out loud before posting to ensure it will make sense on screen readers. This means if you plan to post flyers, we don’t advise it, then you must type out the text from the flyer in the alt text or image description area.
• Make any hashtags you include as readable as possible by using both uppercase and lowercase letters. For example, instead of #gogrizzlies, try #GoGrizzlies.
• Limit your use of fancy fonts. Be aware that screen readers will voice the font names and styles. When creating graphics for social media, ensure that your font is easy to read.
• Keep emojis to a minimum. Screen readers will say the meanings of your emojis out loud, so be sure to add a space between them—just as you would if they were words.

For more information on why accessibility on social media matters, check out this article from Hootsuite. For more tips on social media, check out our social media guidelines.