Twitter Accessibility: Enhancing User Experience Through Inclusion and Diversity

Beyond X's Changes, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Advance 

Twitter, now known as X, is a global hub for news, conversation, and connection. Launched in 2006, the platform swiftly grew into a cultural force, shaping public discourse. In spite of recent changes under new ownership that have sparked debate and uncertainty, X remains a dominant social media player, ranking sixth and rising in most-visited websites worldwide. 

With a global audience pinned at >60% male, and with its top two age groups, totalling a whopping 70%, aged 18-34, it’s questionable whether a reference to Prince would be meaningful to X’s 206 million active users, the denizens of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. There are inescapable parallels between the musical artist’s switch to an unpronounceable symbol 30-odd years ago, and Elon Musk’s more recent decision to change the platform name to the letter usually used to designate an unknown quantity. Both changes caused some confusion. But for Prince, what was perhaps an announcement of a search for mystery seems to be far from the intentions of the South African-born entrepreneur and investor. Known for his massive wealth and enormous losses, Musk’s ventures in electric vehicles and space exploration fit a pattern, and his acquisition of Twitter under X Corp and subsequent renaming of the platform are part of his wide-ranging plans to build an “everything app”. Musk cited freedom of speech and large-scale business expansion as the driving objectives behind his $44 billion dollar buy. As one of the richest, perhaps the richest person in the world, he can take big gambles. 

The original name for the microblogging social network was pulled by Jack Dorsey, one of its creators, as a reference to its dictionary definition: “twitter: a short burst of inconsequential information”. The platform's character limit (up from 140 to 280 characters) forces users to be concise, a brevity that can lead to both insightful commentary and oversimplification, making X a place where nuance can be hard to come by. However, X has become synonymous with breaking news, both local and international. Events unfold in real-time as users share their perspectives, often with live commentary and reactions. This has made the platform an important tool for understanding political and social events as they take place. 

X (Twitter) can feel like a barrage, with rapid-fire volleys of clipped data (true and false), voices (educated and otherwise), photos, GIFs, memes, short-form videos and links. While users have variously called the platform “toxic sometimes”, “exhausting”, their first source for news, and a battleground of opinions, X (Twitter), like all social media platforms, is also a space for community. And many users continue to engage on X regularly in spite of the noticeable downshifts in the platform’s quality of experience and brand perception since its acquisition. They’re drawn by established connections and the familiar fast-paced interactions. What hasn’t slowed down is the need for all users to be able to access X’s firehose flow of information output and exchange. 

Accessibility In The Age Of X 

Social media should be accessible to all users. This simple fact is evident to lawmakers around the world, who continue to update regulations around requirements for accessibility on web and digital platforms, based on civil rights and equality. Of course, the need for accessibility is most obvious to people with disabilities, who still face significant obstacles online. 

Accommodating diverse needs and building universal usability into digital interfaces, platforms, products and services is a critical aspect of serving all customers fairly, and a cornerstone of any brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Twitter’s (or X’s) dedication to accessibility directly ties into its diversity and inclusion efforts as well. A platform that supports users with disabilities as it should builds a diverse and inclusive user base, broadening and improving public discussion and expanding both its audience and its users’ understanding, responsibly and equitably. 

Core Accessibility Features on Twitter 

Accessibility is a necessity in both digital and physical spaces. Social media platforms, with their vast reach, have a clear duty to serve users with diverse needs, so all users can participate equally. Inclusivity helps build a stronger, more diverse online community, where different voices are heard and valued, leading to a richer, more dynamic exchange of ideas. 

Twitter (X) Native Accessibility Features & Options 

Twitter offers multiple built-in tools intended to accommodate users with disabilities. Users can enlarge text, adjust color contrast for better readability, and reduce motion for those sensitive to visual stimuli. The platform also provides audio descriptions for some media, allowing visually impaired users to grasp the meaning of this content. Note that many of these accessibility options were developed beginning in 2020, but they continue to be updated. Piece by piece, here’s what’s currently available on X accessibility: 

• Image Descriptions (alt text) 
  Compatible with assistive technology including screen readers, these alternative text descriptions are also available to everyone on Twitter/X. Descriptions can be set for still media and GIF images. There’s an image description reminder option that can be toggled on or off to remind users when image descriptions are missing, and an interactive alt badge that lets users know when someone has added an image description. 
  
  Note for GIFs: The GIF label is not interactive, and it doesn’t lead to an image description. Instead, it acts as a communication that there is a moving image. This is helpful for users who turn off auto-play for media, as well as users with visual disabilities. In addition to the GIF label, for GIFs with an alt description, the ALT badge will appear. 
  
• Captions for Voice & Audio Media 
  X (Twitter) provides the ability to either upload caption files, or to use automatically generated captions for X Spaces (live audio chat on X) and Voice posts (audio messages). 
  
• Twitter (X) Accessibility Settings (Web) 
  As a default, X provides high-contrast buttons, text aligned left, and a white background for visual accessibility, and accessible content labels, hints for assistive technology, and keyboard shortcuts. These options are all standard. 

Other Twitter (X) accessibility settings can be customized or selected as follows: 

• High-contrast mode, dark/dim modes, display color customization: Helpful for users with some visual disabilities, including color blindness. 

• Motion reduction, autoplay on/off toggle for video and animation: For users sensitive to motion and animations, this setting minimizes the amount of movement displayed in the user interface, preventing discomfort and nausea. 

• Text / font size enlargement: Users can increase the text size within the app, improving readability for those with visual impairments. 

• Screen reader support: Twitter (X) supports screen readers and similar assistive technologies including refreshable Braille displays, helping blind or visually impaired users navigate the platform. 

• System-Dependent Accessibility Settings 

For iOS (Apple) and Android operating systems, the following Twitter/X accessibility options are available: 

Accessibility Option	iOS	Android
Hashtag pronunciation # Screen reader announces the character # as the word “hashtag”	Yes	Yes
Username in Timeline	Yes	No
Read short URLs	Yes	No
Magic Tap to compose post	Yes	No
High contrast mode	Yes	No
Dark or Dim modes	Yes	Yes
Video autoplay on/off toggle	Yes	Yes
Auto-caption for videos	Yes	Yes
Open links in Reader view	Yes	No
Media preview	Yes	Yes
Sound effects	Yes	Yes
Font size customization	No	Yes

X (Twitter) post (tweet) authors can contribute to the accessibility effort by writing and adding useful image descriptions, keeping text in sentence case rather than all-caps or all lower case, writing hashtags in CamelCase, and breaking up text blocks with line breaks. They’re also offered a balanced recommendation on emojis, suggesting that they not repeat the same emoji more than two or three times in a row, and that they place all emojis at the end of sentences. Emojis should also be kept out of display names, and special characters should be avoided. For ASCII art, it’s best to post an image and write a description (alt text) for it, rather than directly posting the characters. Post authors are also advised to upload a caption file for videos directly, rather than relying on automatic video captioning, which can be inaccurate or uninformative. And, as a final suggestion, X officially requests that users avoid ableist language. 

Twitter (X) Third-Party Accessibility Tools & Integration 

While Twitter’s built-in features form a strong foundation, X also supports third-party tools that add accessibility options. 

Twitter (X) Third-Party Tools Expanding Accessibility 

Several third-party tools have been built to work alongside Twitter to improve user experience: 

• Automated Alt Text Tagging 
  Multiple versions of this option are out there, and most are AI-based these days. While not all users trust AI to do the job properly on image descriptions, and results can vary, the fact is that not all users can or want to write their own. For some of these image description writing tools, the user can log in to a website and post to Twitter/X through a publishing page. For others, the alt text generator tool is available through a browser extension or widget. 
  
• Easy Chirp (no longer available) 
  Originally called Accessible Twitter, Easy Chirp was a third-party web application intended to make Twitter accessible for users with disabilities, with a simplified and more navigable version of the Twitter interface. In 2020, Easy Chirp announced that it would no longer be maintained, but that its code base would be available publicly on GitHub. However, after the Musk takeover of Twitter, free access to the Easy Chirp API was banned along with all third-party APIs, and this accessible Twitter interface is no longer available on X. 
  
• Text to Speech 
  This read-out-loud function that announces tweets/posts in an audible voice is available as an add-on in several applications, and is the focal point of many more. 
  
  “Tweet Reader” tools are a subset of the text-to-speech tool category and are specifically designed to work with Twitter/X. Tweet reader tools work in conjunction with screen readers to offer a seamless experience for users. When a tweet is opened or highlighted, the tool activates and reads the content aloud, using the same voice settings configured for the screen reader. This integration smooths away disruption in the auditory experience for the user, making social media more navigable. It must be noted that the landscape of accessibility tools has evolved, with many features including tweet readers now integrated into mainstream platforms and browsers, or available as browser extensions and plug-ins. 
  
  Text-to-speech and tweet reader tools offer several advantages. For all users, text to speech provides a hands-free way to engage with Twitter, freeing up attention for other tasks. For users with disabilities including dyslexia and other reading difficulties, these tools open access to information that might otherwise be unavailable. They also reduce eye strain and fatigue for all users, improving the overall user experience. Text to speech is also the main function of screen readers, an accessible technology often used by people with visual disabilities and blindness. 
  
• Note-Taking Software 
  Readwise is just one of the many text reader options available. As well as working with longer formats like Kindle and Apple Books, this reading program can read, compile, and help you take notes on Twitter/X posts and threads. It’s been said to be very useful for users with ADHD or dyslexia. 
  
• Thread Reader App 
  Some third-party tools survived the ban because they’re external to X. Thread Reader still works. It helps users read through extended Twitter/X conversations by transforming lengthy Twitter threads into an easier-to-follow format. 

Threads & Unrolling 

In internet terminology, a “thread” refers to a series of connected posts from one user, providing a continuous flow of thought or conversation. Twitter/X threads can have multiple nested conversations which can be complex to follow and click on. “Unrolling” a thread involves transforming this series into a single, continuous view that is easier to scan through. This feature helps people with cognitive, visual, or motor disabilities, as it simplifies navigation and reading. People with ADHD may focus better on a linear conversation. Users with visual impairments can use screen readers to process unrolled text faster. And, people with motor problems may find it difficult to follow multiple tweets in a typical Twitter/X thread, as each click and mouse movement involves added effort. Many people believe that to make X easier to use, the platform should unroll threads automatically. However, currently it does not. By streamlining access to extended discussions, third-party unrolling applications make Twitter/X more usable for people with disabilities and those using assistive technologies like screen readers, aligning with broader accessibility goals. 

Building Inclusion Through Accessible Content 

Creating accessible content helps build inclusive social media spaces. When Twitter/X content is created accessibly, everyone can participate fully and enjoy the conversation. 

Five Accessibility Strategies for X Content Creators 

To create content that reaches a wider audience, consider these strategies: 

1. Use Accessible Language: Keep language simple and direct to accommodate all reading levels and cognitive abilities. Avoid jargon, complex sentence structures, and excessive abbreviations. 

2. Provide Image Alt Text: Alt text describes image content for blind and visually impaired users. Always add descriptive alternative text to images to convey information to screen reader users. 

3. Utilize Clear Hashtags: Choose hashtags that are easy to read and understand, using CamelCase (e.g., #DigitalAccessibility) to make the hashtags readable for tweet readers and screen reading software. 

4. Add Captions to Videos. Provide captions and transcripts for videos to make video content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for those who prefer textual content. 

5. Apply Sufficient Contrast: When posting graphics or visual content, especially when they contain information and are not just decorative, use high contrast color schemes that are easier for visually impaired users to decipher. 

The Importance of Inclusion Hashtags 

Using hashtags related to disability awareness and inclusion helps raise awareness and connect accessibility communities on Twitter/X. These hashtags serve as vital tools for amplifying the voices within the disability community and promoting Twitter diversity and inclusion. Commonly used disability awareness hashtags include: 

• #a11y: Represents “accessibility” and is widely recognized across various digital platforms. 

• #DisabilityInclusion: Used to share content that promotes inclusive practices and ideas. 

• #Inclusion: A more general tag, this refers to all types of inclusion, not only related to disability. 

• #InclusiveDesign: Focuses on design strategies that accommodate users of all abilities. 

Incorporating disability awareness hashtags like #a11y, #accessibility, and #inclusion helps connect with a broader audience and build understanding and participation across diverse user bases. 

Twitter's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

Twitter has long prioritized building a diverse and inclusive community, sharing progress reports highlighting diversity within its workforce and user base. Before its ownership changes, the platform actively worked to create spaces where people with disabilities could fully participate, and accessibility made up a core component of their broader inclusion strategy. Twitter has partnered with disability rights organizations to advance accessibility and to collaborate on diversity and inclusion initiatives. These collaborations have led to the development of features and resources that benefit users with diverse needs. 

Post-X Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives 

It must be said that the landscape of Twitter's diversity and inclusion initiatives has significantly changed since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform. There has been a substantial overhaul of the company, including the dissolution of several employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity and inclusion. Key developments following the acquisition include: 

• Dissolution of ERGs: Twitter's Blackbirds, Twitter Women, and other ERGs, which were instrumental in working towards diversity and inclusion, were disbanded. 

• Layoffs: Massive post-acquisition layoffs impacted the company's workforce, with reports suggesting a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx employees, a major setback after their numbers rose in 2021. 

• Leadership Changes: A significant leadership overhaul occurred, with the departure of key figures who were instrumental in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Partnerships With Disability Rights & Accessibility Organizations 

As of the latest available information, there is no explicit public record of Twitter (X) partnering directly with organizations focused specifically on disability rights and accessibility. Their public reports and initiatives primarily focus on broader diversity and inclusion efforts within the company. The rapid changes within the company since it changed hands, including the exit of key personnel, have likely impacted such collaborations. 

While Twitter has made some accessibility improvements in the past, the current focus and direction of the platform under new leadership remains unclear regarding specific partnerships with disability rights organizations. In the Disability:IN 2024 Disability Equality Index report, the only current mention of Twitter/X is a single silent icon in the social media sharing bar. 

But the situation is fluid, and new information or partnerships might emerge. For updated information, check Twitter's official channels, press releases, and news articles for recent announcements. For an explanation of how such initiatives and partnerships work, the World Economic Forum’s DEI Lighthouse report lists seven companies scaling up DEI initiatives around the world. 

While Facebook is not really a direct competitor with X because their formats are so different, X would do well to take a page from Facebook on the subject of DEI and accessibility integration. Meta has established an Accessibility Center to focus on product development, research, and advocacy, and is collaborating with organizations like the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to gain insights and feedback on its products. However, Meta itself should build accessibility into its Threads app if it intends on maintaining it as a viable social media platform. 

Accessibility: A Fundamental Right in the Digital Age 

Accessibility has been and remains a basic need and an inherent civil right, applying today to both physical and digital spaces and all technological platforms. Platforms like Twitter have a legal and moral responsibility to offer equal access to all users. 

WCAG Compliance & Disability Rights 

Compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is essential for all digital tools and platforms, including social media networks like Twitter (X). These standards are designed to offer a clear benchmark for creating accessible online environments, so that users with disabilities can effectively navigate, understand, and interact with web and digital content. Social media platforms like Twitter must prioritize WCAG accessibility compliance to uphold the rights of users with disabilities. 

Incorporating User Feedback 

Twitter/X actively seeks input from the disability community to refine its features… or does it? It used to. Many important #a11y accounts have simply stopped tweeting, including XA11y, listed as the accessibility resource for X. The name switch itself has made it more difficult to search for and find accessibility information on X. But that can all change. By collaborating with users, the X platform can identify barriers and implement solutions to provide basic and advanced accessibility features and options. This ongoing process can help Twitter/X align with evolving accessibility standards and user needs. 

The Power of Community Input 

Incorporating the perspectives of all users is essential for the continuous improvement of all digital platforms. In the past, user feedback led to the introduction of Voice tweets, customizable visual setting options, such as adjustable fonts and color contrast, and the increase in character limits for alternative text image descriptions, as a result of advocacy from visually impaired users, who wanted options for more detailed descriptions of visual content. 

For users with disabilities, participating in X accessibility forums and feedback channels can offer a valuable opportunity to shape the platform’s future. By sharing insights and experiences, users can help Twitter (X) build and improve accessibility features and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. This collaborative approach benefits users with disabilities and, if the feedback is heard, could strengthen the platform overall by inviting community engagement. 

Creating inclusive digital spaces requires ongoing effort and collaboration. By listening to and implementing feedback from its diverse user base, Twitter (X) can comply with accessibility standards and champion the values of diversity and inclusion. 

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