How can you create accessible social media questionnaires for people with disabilities?

1 Choose the right platform

The first step to create accessible social media questionnaires is to choose a platform that meets the accessibility standards and guidelines for web content. These include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Section 508 Standards, and the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specifications. Some platforms, such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, and Typeform, have built-in features and tools to help you create accessible questionnaires, such as keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and alternative text. However, you should always check the accessibility of your questionnaire on different devices, browsers, and assistive technologies before publishing it.

2 Use simple and clear language

Another important aspect of creating accessible social media questionnaires is to use simple and clear language that is easy to understand and follow for people with different levels of literacy, education, and cognitive abilities. You should avoid jargon, slang, abbreviations, acronyms, and complex sentences that may confuse or frustrate your respondents. You should also provide clear instructions, examples, and definitions for any terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar or ambiguous to your audience. Additionally, you should use consistent and logical formatting, such as headings, bullet points, and numbering, to organize your questions and make them more readable.

3 Opt for multiple-choice or rating questions

When designing your questions, you should opt for multiple-choice or rating questions over open-ended or text-based questions. Multiple-choice or rating questions are easier to answer for people with disabilities, as they require less typing, scrolling, or clicking. They also reduce the cognitive load and the potential for errors or misunderstandings. Moreover, multiple-choice or rating questions are more suitable for social media platforms, as they allow you to use visual elements, such as emojis, icons, or images, to make your questionnaire more engaging and interactive. However, you should always provide an option for "other" or "prefer not to answer" in case none of the given choices match your respondents' preferences or situations.

4 Add captions and transcripts for audio and video content

If you decide to use audio or video content in your social media questionnaire, such as podcasts, interviews, or testimonials, you should always add captions and transcripts for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions and transcripts are also helpful for people who have low bandwidth, noisy environments, or language barriers. You should ensure that your captions and transcripts are accurate, synchronized, and visible on the screen. You should also avoid using autoplay, background music, or sound effects that may interfere with the accessibility and usability of your audio or video content.

5 Test your questionnaire with diverse users

The final step to create accessible social media questionnaires is to test your questionnaire with diverse users, including people with disabilities, before launching it. Testing your questionnaire with real users will help you identify and fix any accessibility issues, errors, or gaps that may affect the quality and validity of your data. You should also ask for feedback and suggestions from your users on how to improve your questionnaire and make it more inclusive and user-friendly. You should also monitor and analyze your response rates, completion rates, and drop-off rates to evaluate the effectiveness and accessibility of your questionnaire.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?