Social Media Accessibility for Therapists
Social media has become a tool both for marketing and preserving our sense of humor when things feel bleak. If you’re a therapist on social media using it to grow your practice or reach new audiences with the info you want to share, it’s likely you want your social presence to be as welcoming as your therapy practice is. Here are some simple things you can do to ensure your social posts are inclusive of people with a wide range of disabilities.
Visual Content:
Always add alt text to images - Your alt text should convey the same information a sighted person would get from viewing the image. What are the contents of the image? What’s the general vibe you’re going for in sharing it? An essential tip for white therapists: when you describe race in photos containing people, don’t fall into the “white default” habit. Ensure you describe everyone equally.
Use high contrast color combinations and clear fonts. Your message matters too much to get lost in fancy but hard-to-read font choices!
Text Formatting:
Break up long posts into digestible chunks
Capitalize each word in hashtags (#MentalHealthAwareness) to make them screen-reader friendly
Avoid using special fonts (ASCII symbols) or excessive emojis that can confuse screen readers and make content harder to process
Video Content:
Include human-edited captions on all videos - wouldn't you want everyone to feel part of the conversation?
Provide transcripts for longer content pieces
Consider adding audio descriptions for important visual elements. For example, if you’re sharing a video of a mock EMDR session, audio description would explain the bilateral stiumlation happening in the video.
Content Structure:
Lead with the main point - some people might not have the emotional bandwidth to read lengthy posts
Use clear headings and bullet points when appropriate
Never relying solely on color to convey meaning
Language Considerations:
Use plain language alongside therapeutic terms
Provide content warnings when discussing potentially sensitive topics
Consider offering multiple formats (text, audio, video) for key messages
Remember, creating accessible content isn't just about following guidelines - it's about extending the therapeutic commitment to holding space for all experiences into the digital realm.
Feel free to start small and build up your accessible content practices gradually. After all, isn't that what’s often recommended to clients - taking meaningful steps forward, one at a time?
