Best Practices for Social Media Posts

• Use inclusive language like "families" instead of "parents"
• Break up long paragraphs into short, readable chunks
  • Aim for sentences around 15-20 words
  • Keep paragraphs to about 4-5 sentences
• Reserve underlining for hyperlinks
• Avoid acronyms-spell them out completely before using them

• Always include include alternative text (alt text)
  • Explains what is shown and why it matters
  • Is read aloud by a screen reader for people who can't see the image
  • Replaces the image if it fails to load
  • Keep it short and specific (1-2 sentences, 150-200 characters max)
  • Describe only what's essential to understanding the content
  • Include text from graphic in alt text
• Always include a caption
• When placing text on a color background, check the color contrast to ensure the text is readable for all audiences.
• If the image conveys important information using text, also include that information in the alt text and the caption. 

• First, stop and ask if it needs to be a graphic
• Include all text from graphics in captions when possible
• Keep design simple and clean
  • Think "highway billboard"
• Avoid posting text-heavy "print" flyers
• Leave off QR codes on digital graphics
• Use approved school branding (logos, colors, typefaces/fonts)
• Dark text on light background is best
• Use an appropriate font size to improve contrast and text readability
• Avoid using color alone to show meaning/emphasis
• Be cautious of using too many colors in one design

Example of what to AVOID:

CORRECT: 

Example of what to AVOID:

CORRECT: 

• All videos should include captions. 
• Captions may be closed (users can turn them on or off) or open (always visible). Either is fine—just make sure they’re accurate.
• Text that appears on screen should also meet contrast-accessibility standards.

• Capitalize the first letter of each word in a hashtag:
  • Correct: #BecauseKids
  • Incorrect: #becausekids
• This helps screen readers pronounce them correctly.

• Screen readers speak emojis by description (e.g., “clapping hands”). Avoid placing emojis within sentences, and use them in moderation.
• Put a space between each emoji for clearer reading.
• Emoticons like :) are read as punctuation (“colon parenthesis”) and should be used only when necessary.

• If you share a link, make sure: 
  • The linked page is accessible
  • You describe where the link goes ("View the performing arts calendar" instead of "Click here")
• Utilize a link shortener for cleaner links like Bit.ly or TinyURL

Remember- PDFs and scanned flyers are often not readable by screen readers.