S110: Social media and understanding your rights

In this episode, Kim Wardlow is joined by Evan Starnes to explore how social media can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy, community building, and change—particularly in the blind and low vision community. Evan shares his journey from discovering digital advocacy on Twitter to becoming an influential voice in accessible tech. They dive into platform-by-platform comparisons, discuss the pros and cons of real-time posting, and offer best practices for accessible content creation. From hashtags and alt text to dealing with misinformation and going viral for the right reasons, this episode is packed with practical tips and thoughtful insights for anyone hoping to use social media as a force for good.

⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome to NLVL and Introduction to Advocacy & Social Media
01:00 – Evan’s Story: Finding Community on Twitter
03:00 – Discovering Support and Shared Experiences Online
05:00 – How Social Media Transformed Advocacy
08:00 – The Pros and Pitfalls of Real-Time Posting
12:00 – Platform Breakdown: Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram
16:00 – The Power of Facebook for Advocacy
19:00 – Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok’s Roles
23:00 – YouTube and Mastodon Explained
27:30 – Tips for Responsible and Effective Advocacy Online
31:00 – Collaboration, Group Engagement, and Reposts
33:45 – Service Animal Denials: A Case Study in Viral Advocacy
36:00 – Trends: Alt Text, AI, and Decentralized Platforms
38:00 – Best Practices for Accessible Content Creation
41:00 – Organizational Responsibility in Accessibility
43:30 – Social Media Accountability: What Works and What Doesn’t
45:00 – Advocacy Through Podcasting and Personal Stories
48:00 – Responding to Misinformation with Grace and Strategy
50:45 – Tracking Metrics: Views vs. Engagement Quality
53:00 – Final Tips for Using Social Media Effectively
55:00 – Where to Find Evan and Aftersight Online
56:00 – Tease for Next Week: Youth Advocacy with Dr. Charles Powell