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 Designed for Everyone: Accessibility Features on TikTok and Instagram 

Graphic from SproutSocial. 

Social media has transformed the way that people connect, create, and communicate. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram dominate internet culture with their visual-heavy content and creator-driven ecosystems. But for millions of users with disabilities, these spaces are not always built to include them. Accessibility has become an essential part of navigating the internet. TikTok and Instagram, while both striving to improve their accessibility features, reflect broader shifts and gaps in how inclusivity plays a role in online spaces. As visual-based platforms grow more dominant in online communication, the accessibility efforts of major platforms reveal both the progress and challenges of making spaces truly inclusive for all users. 

Accessibility in digital media refers to the design of content and interfaces that can be used by people regardless of ability. This can include features such as alt text (written descriptions for images), video captions/subtitles, and screen readers, among others (Hootsuite). On platforms like TikTok and Instagram—where audio, video, and rapid scrolling define user experience—these tools become essential for inclusion. With more than a billion users each, both platforms have a responsibility and opportunity to shape the standards of digital communication.

A video that talks about the issues with accessibility in social media. 

TikTok has taken several strides in accessibility over recent years. One of the most popular features that the app has are automatic captions for videos. Over the years, these captions have become more accurate and can be edited by creators before posting. Another feature that TikTok has is the ability to adjust the text size. This allows users to tailor to app to their preferences or needs involving visual impairments. TikTok also has a filter that can be toggled to protect individuals with photosensitivity by flagging those videos before they play. This feature not only protects users with issues such as epilepsy, but also creates a more comfortable space for people with sensory sensitivities (TikTok Accessibility). Some other features that TikTok has are:

• Dark mode option.
• Screen render option. 
• Text-to-speech. 
• Change playback speed.
• Change scroll speed. 

A photo that shows the photosensitive warning on TikTok (Digital Information World). 

Instagram has also made significant improvements to support accessibility in its content. One of its most substantial features that the app has is the addition of alternative text to images, which can be placed automatically by AI detection or by the post creator. Alt text allows screen readers to describe visual content to users with visual impairments, making image-based communication more accessible. Instagram also offers automatic captioning for videos and customizable text sizes (Instagram Help Center). These features help ensure that users who are deaf or hard of hearing can engage with video content more effectively, and those with visual impairments or reading difficulties can better navigate the platform. While these tools represent meaningful progress, their effectiveness often depends on creators actively choosing to use them, meaning that accessibility can vary widely from post to post.

A series of screenshots that show how to use alt text on Instagram (iBec Creative). 

Comparing the two platforms, TikTok leads in making audio-visual content accessible through AI automation. Its default captioning, text-to-speech tools, and growing community of creators with disabilities reflect an increasing awareness of accessibility as a social norm. Meanwhile, Instagram’s strength lies in its image-based accessibility—especially alt text, which is still lacking on TikTok’s end. However, both platforms share a similar flaw: they put much of the burden on individual users to enable accessibility features. If creators don’t use captions or write alt text, the content remains inaccessible to large portions of the community. Neither platform enforces accessibility standards, nor do they consistently prompt users to consider them.

Accessibility isn’t just about tools, but also about participation in culture. When platforms like TikTok and Instagram prioritize inclusive design, they empower more people to create, contribute, and connect. Deaf creators have gone viral on TikTok using sign language and captions to share stories, raise awareness, and entertain. Blind users describe participating in Instagram through alt text and audio cues. These platforms are not just social—they are cultural spaces, and accessibility determines who gets to speak, be heard, and go viral. Even stylistic choices, like using captions for comedic timing or aesthetic enhancement, show how accessibility features can shape and enhance communication beyond their original purpose.

An example of a deaf creator on TikTok. 

In the future, accessibility on social media must move beyond optional features to become built-in standards. Universal design should be the default, not an afterthought. Platforms should not only provide the tools but actively encourage and guide their use, making inclusive design a core part of online communication. As TikTok and Instagram continue to evolve, their influence on global communication is undeniable. By improving and expanding their accessibility features, they can help ensure the internet is a space where everyone—regardless of ability—can participate, create, and be heard.