Social media
Whether you are feeling isolated and looking for easy ways to connect and communicate with others, or whether you’re looking for information on a particular topic, being able to access social media can have huge benefits. On this page, we break down some of the ways in which accessing social media could be helpful to you, as well as some useful links.
What is “social media”?
“Social media” is a broad umbrella term for websites and apps which allow you to connect with other people in a variety of ways. This could include videos, photographs, public text posts and private messages. Some people might use social media on a small scale to stay in touch with family and friends. Others might use it to connect with new people who share common interests or experiences. Many businesses and organisations also use social media to promote events and products, so it can be a great tool for finding out helpful information—for example, on what’s happening in your area. Everyone uses social media differently; “getting online” can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s important to note that you need only engage with the things that you find useful.
Social media and accessibility
Social media can often be a very visual medium. However, if you are navigating social media as a person with low vision, you’ll find that some people caption their images and/or provide image description in the form of “alt text”. If you feel comfortable to do so, it might be a good idea to consider asking your friends and family to caption their photographs if that is something you would find helpful.
A note on screen-readers: Many individuals with little or no vision use “screen reader” software to navigate technology. Please note that some screen readers are not able to read alt-text, so it is a good idea to provide image descriptions in the form of captions wherever you can.
