PaulineNov 19, 2022
Robin the Mod (fka Josh)

A gentle reminder to folks who are new to Mastodon. In solidarity with those in the disabled community who rely on screen readers, we ask that you:

* Add alt text/image descriptions when you post media
* Capitalize the first letter of every word in a hashtag #LikeThis
* Avoid emojis in your display name

UPDATE: So many great questions! Please check the replies to see if your question has been asked and answered ❤️

#StrongerTogether #Accessibility #AltText #Disability #Solidarity #FediTips

Nov 18, 2022 at 6:00pmWeb
Show threadRybabyNov 18, 2022
@josh: I don't post pics often but what kind of information is useful for the alt-texts?
Show threadTessa 🧑‍🦯🏳️‍🌈🚌🌃Nov 21, 2022
@rybaby
It's not hard, just give a basic description of what's going on in the image. Look at my post with the cardigan WIP for a good example.
Show threadPatricia "Grandma"Nov 26, 2022
@rybaby @josh
Just try to describe the picture in as much detail as possible. You want the person hearing the description to be able to imagine what sighted people are seeing and to get the important info.
For instance don't say poster about the concert if the poster includes the date, time and venue.
Show threadVanettda LassardDec 23, 2022
@josh @rybaby I’ve been working in accessibility for library websites and was trained early-on that feeling blue is an English idiom that describes an emotion, while describing the color blue is meaningless. So, I try to ignore visual cues and lean into the emotion or sensation that is being expressed. Also if there is text in the picture, transcribe it so that electronic readers can vocalize it.
Show threadRyan HarterNov 18, 2022
@josh It feels a little uncomfortable to enable, but I'm sure I'll get used to it and it'll probably foster a healthier relationship to my online identity.
Show threadstuckfickNov 18, 2022
@josh We make a difference
Show threadJake OuelletteNov 18, 2022
@josh is it still readable with #lowerCamelCase?
Show threadMark DilleyJul 24, 2023
@Jakeout @josh Jake, is #lowerCamelCase just first, first letter lowercases?
Show threadAaronJul 25, 2023
@MarkDilley @Jakeout @josh Yes.
Show threadAzure Rebel with PawsNov 18, 2022
@josh thank you that’s a very helpful. I really appreciate knowing how to do it correctly for those whom it’s intended.
Show threadsebastian büttrichNov 18, 2022

@josh
just curious - rule #2 is for

BetterReadability ?
EasierToTellWhatItMeans ?

Show threadSabrinaDentDec 28, 2022
@sebastian @josh Pronunciation as two words by screen readers.
Show threadMark DilleyJul 24, 2023
@josh @sabrinadent @sebastian I have been interested in this as a reason to do it. Confirming this is the case.
Show threadSabrinaDentJul 24, 2023
@MarkDilley @josh @sebastian I don't understand. Are you making a statement or asking a question?
Show threadMark DilleyJul 24, 2023
@josh @sebastian @sabrinadent question
Show threadSabrinaDentJul 25, 2023
@MarkDilley @josh @sebastian #CamelCaseHashtags are pronounced as distinct words by screen readers. I don't know what else to tell you.
Show threadsebastian büttrichJul 25, 2023

@sabrinadent @MarkDilley @josh

Thanks - yes, I understood #CamelCase and #ScreenReaders now.

Show threadMark DilleyJul 25, 2023
@sebastian @sabrinadent @josh thanks! I found this question and wondered if you knew what the affordance was here: https://mastodon.social/@Jakeout/109366572750450652
Show threadSabrinaDentJul 25, 2023
@MarkDilley @sebastian @josh It will be read as three words.
Show threadKevin E. WalshNov 18, 2022
@josh
@jonah
I suppose we can vote with our #hashtags, but shouldn't trends ignore caps?
https://mstdn.party/@whaleknives/109337434197820188
Show threadVijay PremaNov 18, 2022
@whaleknives
Interestingly, if you click on the second Ukraine it just shows the same results as the first ukraine. In all other cases I have seen so far, hashtags are case insensitive. Something slightly funky going on.
Show threadserenebabeNov 18, 2022
@josh hoping you don't mind a question... do you know if putting hashtags within the body of a post is problematic? I saw a post saying to please put hashtags after the post/at the end?
Show threadFlissDec 3, 2022
@serenebabe @josh I think this may be because screenreaders read out everything. So they will read a sentence with a hashtag in it as, for example, 'Here is a hashtag mastodon tip' rather than 'Here is a mastodon tip' which makes understanding the toot difficult.
Show threadSjors ProvoostNov 18, 2022
@josh good old CamelCase! But what's the rationale for upcasing a single word? Asking for team #dromedaryCase :-)
Show threadMarkDilleyNov 28, 2022
@sjors @josh I have always done it (rarely not) for both legibility and to show practice of capitalizing first letter of word in hashtags, URLs and other links
Show threadSteve WilliamsNov 18, 2022
@josh And lay off the emojis in the handles!
Show threadLisa 4 Social JusticeNov 18, 2022
@josh thank you
Show threadhiding from plagues ☣️♿Nov 18, 2022
@josh arg crap I keep forgetting that alt text. I'm also disabled and memory sucks but I will try remember more
Show threadKristin KellyNov 18, 2022
@josh I didn’t know about the hashtag thing. Thanks for the education.
Show threadLiza_MNov 18, 2022
@josh How can you tell if other people’s toots have alt text? I am using the Mastodon App and I am prompted to include alt text when I upload a picture (and I’ve seen less camel text here than on the bird site as an aside), but how do I know if other people have included it?
Show threadKarin FoxNov 18, 2022
@josh THANK YOU!!!
Show threadJames RandolphNov 18, 2022
@josh Great reminder.
Show threadLooking for explanations…Nov 18, 2022
@josh I follow the @PleaseCaption whicj helps/reminds me to caption.
Show threadFrédéric Bonnet 🇫🇷🇪🇺🇺🇦Nov 18, 2022
@josh honest question, does capitalization make any difference with screen readers for single word hashtags?
Show threadSabrinaDentDec 28, 2022
@codinbzh @josh No
Show threadKIAKAHANov 18, 2022
@josh I need to remember to do Alt Text, thank you for reminding me
Show threadmtkleinNov 19, 2022
@KIAKAHA @josh have a look here: @PleaseCaption
Show threadEric DomondNov 18, 2022
@josh I had no idea capitalization had an impact!
Show threadEric BergNov 18, 2022
@ericdomond @josh I was also unaware until now.
Show threadEmma Blackmore🏳️‍🌈👩‍🦯🦻Nov 18, 2022
@josh I joined 10 mins ago and I’m pleased this is the first thing that’s come up, I’m visually impaired. Impressed already, still figuring things out! 😁
Show threadEdmenonymousNov 18, 2022
@josh
Show threadDnNov 18, 2022
@josh thanks for the tips. I will make sure to do this in future toots.
Show threadMosieWelchNov 18, 2022
@josh does add alt text mean put a caption with the photo?
Show threadAlexNov 18, 2022
@josh thank you for the reminder Josh I keep forgetting to capitalize every separate word of my hashtags 😮‍💨
Show threadBruce Halperin Nov 18, 2022
@josh Why does the hashtag capitalization matter?
Show threadMark DilleyJul 24, 2023
@BruceHalperin @josh apparently screen readers can break those into separate words.
Show threadVincent BattsNov 18, 2022
@josh TIL about capitalizing in hashtags. Does the reader pickup on the camel-casing?
Show threadVyonneNov 19, 2022
@josh thanks for the tips, being a newbie and lazy, i intuitively thought I’d pick this up easily, but I am humbled to admit, I haven’t. #humbled
Show threadEbony Edwards-EllisNov 19, 2022
@josh Thanks for the heads up!
Show threadLilly EvansNov 19, 2022

@josh thank you - this is a wonderfully inclusive message.

We recently saw on a popular BBC program that uses visuals how not to do it: one guest was blind comedian and he apparently was not provided with screen reader.

Rightly there were lot of complaints. We can all do better.

Show threadPorangi69Nov 19, 2022
@josh 👍
Show threadWil SpillaneNov 19, 2022
@josh great tips for any site. Thanks for educating!
Show threadJoel NittaNov 19, 2022
@josh does capitalization matter for following hashtags? In other words, is a hashtag treated the same by mastodon regardless of capitalization, or are those treated as different hashtags?
Show threadMark DilleyJul 24, 2023
@josh @joelnitta nope, just ease of reading for human and computer alike.
Show threadDan LerchNov 19, 2022
@josh Wish I like this twice!
Show threadDan LerchNov 19, 2022
@josh *could
Show threadMary Beth RockwellNov 19, 2022
@josh Now I know - thanks for the advice for us newbs on here! #solidarity
Show threadMary Beth RockwellNov 19, 2022
@josh Or I guess that should be #Solidarity
Show threadRuelRulesNov 19, 2022
@josh Much appreciated!
Show threadHank LayfieldNov 19, 2022
@josh Thanks, this is very helpful. I tend to capitalize words in hashtags already, but never made the connection about text readers being able to parse things.