Social Media

Social media posts and content created at U-M are required to meet recognized accessibility standards by the compliance date and after.

Social media content posted before the compliance date is not required to be fully accessible according to DOJ Title II regulations. However, content creators may be required to provide accessible versions of their posts upon request, as discussed in the regulations (paragraph 805) and described below.

Different social media platforms may have gaps in the level of accessibility content creators can provide. Content creators at the university should strive to maximize accessibility in the applications they use.

Detailed Requirements

If a social media post is created after the compliance date, it should be fully accessible. Social media content posted prior to the compliance date does not need not be accessible. 

Social media content creators are recommended to start using more accessible practices prior to the compliance date, since posts may be considered as part of our programs, services, and activities. We encourage following guidance for social media accessibility.

Examples

  • A social media post created in February 2024 does not need to be made accessible.
  • A social media post created in February 2024 and re-posted in August 2027 would need to be made accessible.

References

FAQ

Should I avoid beginning accessibility work on social media posts until the compliance date?

No, we recommend incorporating accessibility into content creation today. Content creators may need to learn more about creating accessible posts on different platforms. Additionally, public entities may be required to provide accessible posts upon request, and are encouraged not to wait until the compliance date to begin implementing digital accessibility practices.

Why is some social media content created prior to the compliance date allowed for an exception?

The Department of Justice describes in paragraph 751 of their regulation update that most social media content is used to highlight “then-current” programs, services, or activities, which after taking place, are no longer current and are not actively engaged with.