Overview
Instagram is a social networking service that focuses on sharing photos and videos. It’s a popular platform, especially for mobile users, and allows you to:
- Post photos and videos: You can take photos and videos directly within the app, or upload them from your device. There are also various editing tools available to enhance your content before sharing.
- Apply filters: Instagram is known for its creative filters that can transform a regular photo into something more artistic or eye-catching.
- Share with followers: You can share your posts publicly or with a pre-approved list of followers. You can also share your stories, which are temporary photo and video snippets that disappear after 24 hours.
- Explore and discover: You can browse photos and videos from other users, discover trending content, and find new people to follow based on your interests. Hashtags are a helpful way to categorize content and find posts related to specific topics.
- Interact with others: Like and comment on other users’ posts, and send private messages directly to others.
Overall, Instagram is a platform for connecting with friends and family, sharing moments and experiences, and discovering new content and interests.
Navigation on Instagram Mobile App
General Navigation:
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Explore the Feed:
- Swipe right or left to move between posts.
- TalkBack/VoiceOver will announce the username of the poster, followed by a description of the image or video content, and any captions.
- To like a post, double tap the screen near the bottom where the like button is located. TalkBack/VoiceOver will announce if the post is liked or unliked.
- Similarly, swipe up and down to find the comment section and explore comments using TalkBack/VoiceOver’s announcement.
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Navigation Menus:
- Locate the profile picture button (bottom right corner) or menu button (top right corner depending on the app version). Explore these menus using TalkBack/VoiceOver’s element identification gestures (usually swipe up or down followed by a double tap). These menus will provide options for accessing your profile, activity feed, saved posts, IGTV, settings, etc.
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Posting:
- While creating a new post might be limited with TalkBack/VoiceOver, you can still access the camera function by swiping right until you hear “Camera” button and then double tap to activate.
- Navigating filters, editing tools, and captions might require exploring elements and using TalkBack/VoiceOver’s announcement features to identify interactive elements.
TalkBack Specific (Android):
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For more specific actions and gestures within TalkBack:
- Refer to Google’s TalkBack documentation here.
- Explore TalkBack’s context menu by swiping up and down with two fingers to find options like “Speak labels,” “Open web links,” etc., which can be helpful for navigating Instagram’s interface.
VoiceOver Specific (iPhone):
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For detailed VoiceOver instructions:
- Refer to Apple’s VoiceOver documentation here.
- VoiceOver offers a “Tap to Braille” feature that can be useful for understanding on-screen elements. Explore VoiceOver’s rotor options (triple tap and flick up/down) to activate this feature.
Additional Tips:
- Practice using TalkBack/VoiceOver’s explore gestures to identify interactive elements within the app.
- Utilize the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon) to find specific profiles or content.
Navigation in Instagram on Computer Using Screen Readers
Logging In:
- Open the Instagram website on your computer browser.
- Use your screen reader’s navigation keys (usually arrow keys) to find the login section. This might be labeled as “Log In” or “Sign In.”
- Enter your username and password using the keyboard and tab key to move between fields.
- Locate the “Log In” button and activate it using your screen reader’s reading mode key (usually Enter).
Navigating the Feed:
- Once logged in, your screen reader should announce the current section. It might be your feed or profile depending on the layout.
- Posts will likely be announced as “Post” followed by the username of the poster and a description of the image or video.
- Use your screen reader’s navigation keys to move between posts. Up and down arrows will typically move through the feed.
- Some screen readers offer additional options like keyboard shortcuts to jump to specific sections or activate elements within a post (e.g., like button). Refer to your screen reader’s documentation for these functionalities.
Limited Functionality:
- Creating new posts, using stories, and direct messaging might not be accessible using a screen reader on the web interface.
Alternatives:
- Consider using the Instagram app on a mobile device with screen reader support for a more accessible experience.
- Explore other social media platforms designed for desktop use that offer better screen reader compatibility.