Social+Networks+and+the+Visually+Impaired

Are ever-changing social networks accessible for those with visual disabilities?
There are a number of accessibility challenges facing users who are visually impaired who want to access social networks. The current resources available cannot keep pace with the constant content changes and updates associated with these websites. Thus, the real-time updating features people have come to love about social networks are the same features that provide the biggest accessibility challenges.

Visually impaired users struggle to access social networking sites for a number of reasons. These users typically struggle to orient themselves on the webpage. Screen readers can be helpful but are not a solution when interfaces are regularly changing. In addition, with constant video and photo updates, it is important for alternate text to accompany those media formats. Otherwise, visually impaired users cannot access or understand the material. A number of other accessibility issues can be viewed on [|San Francisco State University’s Accessible Technology Initiative].

San Francisco State University has used JAWS to analyze some of the most popular social networks, Facebook and Twitter. Neither website meets the necessary accessibility standards for users with disabilities. (You can access the reports on both of these websites from the link above.) Facebook, however, is making strides to increase accessibility for visually impaired users. They are currently working with the American Foundation for the Blind to improve usability. You can read a brief article about their efforts from Web Pro News by clicking [|here]. There is also now an alterative resource called [|Accessible Twitter], designed with a simpler interface and a number of accessibility features not provided by the original website.

Needless to say, social networks have a long way to go before reaching the necessary accessibility standards for visually impaired users. With the rapid advancements in technology, we can only hope the great masterminds will develop accessibility tools and alternatives to accompany them.