Facebook Accessibility

Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms, with users from many different backgrounds and abilities. Making your posts accessible to those with disabilities is important to ensure that everyone can connect and interact with your content. See Social Media Accessibility for more information on general guidelines for social media.

Note: Facebook updates its features often, so these steps may vary slightly depending on your version of the app or browser.

Alt Text

Alternative text (alt text) is a short description that tells users what an image shows and why it’s there. Screen readers read this text aloud, making the content accessible to people who can’t see the image. See our Image Accessibility page for tips on writing effective descriptions.

How to Add Alt Text on Facebook in a Browser

  1. Upload an image to your post.
  2. Hover over the photo and select Edit.
  3. Click Alternative text.

    The edit window in Facebook with the Alternative text button highlighted.

  4. Write your own description or edit the auto-generated text. Note: Facebook automatically generates some by default, so make sure to review it before saving, as it may be inaccurate.
  5. Click Save and then post!

How to Add Alt Text on Facebook on a Mobile Device

  1. Start a post and upload an image.
  2. Click on the three dots at the top of the image.
    The Create Post window in facebook with an image selected. A red arrow points to the More button, a black button with three dots. The button is highlighted by a red box.
  3. Select Edit alt text.
    The create post window in Facebook with the more options pop up shown at the bottom. The options in order from top to bottom are Remove photo, edit photo, add music, make 3d, edit alt text, and cancel. The option Edit alt text is highlighted by a red box and arrow.
  4. Write your own description or edit the auto-generated text. Note: Facebook automatically generates some by default, so make sure to review it before saving, as it may be inaccurate.
  5. Tap Done, then post!

Video Captioning

It’s important to always add captions to videos. Captions not only help people with disabilities, but many other users rely on them too. See Caption Quality Standards for tips on creating accurate captions.

How to Add Captions on Facebook in a Browser

  1. Create a post and upload your video.
  2. Once it uploads, click Edit.
  3. Open the Closed Captions dropdown.
  4. From here, you can either auto-generate captions or upload a .SRT caption file. Review auto-generated captions (they may be inaccurate) and edit as needed.
  5. Click Save and publish your video!

How to Add Captions on Facebook on a Mobile Device

  1. Start a post and upload your video.
  2. Before posting, tap Edit.
  3. Select Captions on the right side of the video.
    A video of Taylor Swift with the More Edit Options open. The Captions option is highlighted by a white box and arrow.
  4. It will begin transcribing the audio. Once it is finished, review the auto-generated captions (they may be inaccurate) and edit as needed.
  5. Click Done and Next, and post your video!

Additional Resources