How to make your instagram feed accessible for visual impairment?

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It is important to remember that inclusivity and diversity are key aspects of a successful business. Inclusivity means being welcoming to everyone, regardless of their background, beliefs and abilities.

Did you know that Instagram can be used by people who are blind or have low vision?

Yep – thanks to Instagram features on the app that make it easier to use. For example, there is a feature called ‘VoiceOver’ which reads out the names of the people who are in your photo and the comments that people have left. This makes it easier for people who can’t see to know what is going on in their photo and who is commenting on it.

ADD ALT TEXT TO IMAGES

Alt text is a short text-based description of images that includes information such as text, scene descriptions, and other descriptive information. People who use screen readers such as VoiceOver, TalkBack, or Select-to-speak listen to the alt text as their only way of knowing what is in an image, so having alt text written for images is incredibly important for making an accessible Instagram feed for assistive technology users. Instagram supports alt text up to 100 characters, and alt text can be added or edited once a picture is posted.

TO ADD ALT TEXT TO NEW INSTAGRAM POSTS:

  1. Create a new post
  2. Click “compose alt text” underneath advanced settings of the post
  3. Type alt text of your choice
  4. Click “done” when finished

TO ADD ALT TEXT TO EXISTING INSTAGRAM POSTS:

  1. Click on the three vertical dots at the top of the post
  2. Click “edit”
  3. Tap the “alt text” option that is directly on top of the photo, next to the “tag people” option.
  4. Add your own alt text and save it to the photo

In conclusion, if you want to make sure that your business audience, including those with low vision, can see your amazing business Instagram posts, there are a few things you can do to improve your business profile. First, make sure your pictures used are easy to see. You could also consider using brighter colours. Finally, make sure you add alt text and caption on your videos!

Voila!

If you have a question about living with sight loss, no matter how big or small, we’re here for you. Call – 0303 123 9999
Email – Helpline@rnib.org.uk

Ariane Eva Morin_CCJM Consulting Ltd Founder and Director

Reach out for a free business initial consultation – we would love to hear from you! My team and I are here to help your business grow! Simply message us here or email info@ccjmconsulting.com ⁠