Link in Bio Services
Use an accessible “link in bio” tool (e.g., Linktree, and now Hootsuite, Vista Social, and other schedulers provide this feature) or create a dedicated social media links page on your website.
Most click-throughs on links in bios are low, so use sparingly.
Create a social media links page on your website for better control and building traffic.
Always tell people clearly in the caption: “More info at the link in our bio”.
Make sure that the landing page itself meets WCAG 2.1 AA (contrast, headings, alt text).
Accessible Companion Posts/Stories
Use Instagram Stories, where links can be added via the “link sticker.”
If promoting an event in the feed, post a Story with the direct link as well.
Add text to the Story caption like: “Register here: umaryland.edu/events”.
Branded Short Links (Memorable URLs)
Instead of a QR-only graphic, always include a short, human-readable URL in the caption text. For example, “Register at umaryland.edu/openhouse”.
Even if not clickable, users (and screen readers) can access it by typing it into a browser.
Don’t Rely Solely on Instagram
If essential event/action information cannot be conveyed without a link, Instagram cannot be the only channel.
Cross-post to Facebook, LinkedIn, or X (where clickable links are supported).
Or post an accessible event page on the UMB website, then point Instagram users to the bio link.
What Not to Do
Do not rely on QR codes alone in Instagram graphics. They are completely inaccessible to screen reader users.
Do not use “See bio” without updating your bio link — that creates a dead end.
In summary for Instagram:
Yes, still post in the feed/grid, but pair every QR code or registration link with an accessible alternative:
- An updated “link in bio” landing page,
- A branded short URL typed out in the caption, and/or
- A cross-post in Stories with a clickable link.
That way, you meet ADA’s “effective communication” standard even with Instagram’s technical limitation.