Facebook stands as a global hub for connection, where sharing moments through photos is a cornerstone of the experience. Whether you’re connecting with friends, family, or a wider audience on community pages, ensuring everyone can access your content is paramount. This includes making your photos accessible to people who are visually impaired. While sharing a photo on Facebook is straightforward, adding a descriptive layer to it ensures inclusivity.
Facebook is designed to be accessible with screen readers, allowing users with visual impairments to navigate the platform. With millions of photos uploaded daily, taking the extra step to add image descriptions, also known as alt text descriptions, significantly broadens your content’s reach and impact. Have you considered adding these descriptions to your Facebook photos? It’s a simple yet powerful way to enhance accessibility.
Here’s how you can upload a photo to Facebook and then add an image description to make it accessible to everyone:
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Initiate a New Post: Begin by starting a new post on your Facebook profile or page.
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Upload Your Photo: Click on the “Photo/Video” option to upload the photo you wish to share from your computer.
Screenshot of Facebook thread of a Community page for TVIs with a photo of a tactile bulletin board idea that is not described. -
Select and Edit the Photo: Once uploaded, click on the photo. It will appear larger, with editing options on the right side of your screen.
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Find the ‘Alt Text’ or ‘Image Description’ Option: Look for the ‘Alt Text’ or ‘Image Description’ option, usually located in the photo details section on the right sidebar. You might need to click ‘Edit’ to access this option.
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Write Your Image Description: In the provided field, type a concise and descriptive alt text for your photo. This description should convey the essential visual information of the image to someone who cannot see it. For example, instead of just saying “bulletin board”, describe what’s on it, like “A tactile bulletin board with various textures and shapes for visually impaired students to explore.”
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Add Contextual Details (Optional): Facebook also provides fields to tag people in the photo (“Who were you with?”) and add the location (“Where was this photo taken?”). While these are not directly related to image descriptions, they add valuable context to your post.
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Finalize and Post: After adding your description and any other details, click ‘Save’ or ‘Done Editing’, and then proceed to post your photo as you normally would.
Important Note: Currently, adding image descriptions is best done using a computer. While screen readers on devices like iPads can read existing descriptions, the functionality to add them might be limited on the Facebook mobile app.
By incorporating image descriptions, you’re not only making your Facebook content more accessible but also enriching the experience for all users, ensuring no one misses out on the story your photos tell. Take a moment to add that descriptive text – it makes a world of difference.
