A little known Twitter feature can help the visually impaired get a better look at the photos you share on the platform.
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This feature, which allows users to add text descriptions to their images, was first introduced in 2006 and is back in the spotlight after blind Twitter user Rob Long asked more users to enable the feature on their own account.
Long, whose Twitter bio says he was a veteran who lost his sight in Afghanistan, shared a series of images showing users how to enable the feature to create “a more accessible Twitter for blind users.”
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Most people didn’t even know the social media site had such an option.
When you enable the Compose image descriptions feature, every time you upload a photo to Twitter, you’ll get the option to add a text description for the visually impaired. Note that image descriptions can’t be added to GIFs or videos.
Here's how to enable the feature on your phone:
1. Open the Twitter app and log in.
2. Click your profile icon in the top left.
3. Go to Settings and Privacy.
4. Click Accessibility (under General).
5. Check the box for Compose image descriptions (under Vision).
6. Now, when you hit the Tweet compose button and upload a photo, you’ll get the option to add a text description.
Here's how to enable the feature on desktop:
1. Log in to Twitter.
2. Click your profile icon in the top right.
3. Go to Settings and Privacy.
4. Click Accessibility (left column).
5. Check the box for Compose image descriptions.
6. Now, when you upload an image to tweet, you’ll see the option to add a text description.
So, the next time you share your fun pet photos, be sure to add a description to spread the cheer!
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