Captioning & Alt-Text Requirements

1. Purpose & Accessibility Commitment

ReelCiety is committed to making visual media accessible to users with disabilities, including users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low-vision, neurodivergent, or using assistive technologies. Captioning and alt-text are essential components of this commitment and form part of Nexa-Group’s broader accessibility and ESG obligations.

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all media formats available on ReelCiety, including but not limited to:

• Photos and image posts
• Short-form and long-form videos
• Stories and reels
• Live streams and recorded broadcasts
• Advertisements and branded content

3. Captioning Requirements for Video Content

Captions provide synchronized text equivalents of spoken dialogue and relevant audio cues. ReelCiety requires:

• Captions for all videos containing spoken audio
• Inclusion of non-speech audio cues when relevant (e.g., music, alarms, crowd noise)
• Accurate timing and readability
• Language consistency with the primary spoken language of the content

4. Live Video & Real-Time Captioning

For live streams, ReelCiety encourages the use of real-time captioning tools where available. Where real-time captioning is not feasible:

• Creators should provide post-event captions where possible
• Critical information must not rely solely on audio
• Accessibility notices may be displayed to viewers

5. Alt-Text Requirements for Images

Alt-text provides textual descriptions of visual content for users who cannot see images. On ReelCiety:

• Creators are encouraged to add descriptive alt-text to all images
• Alt-text should convey essential visual information and context
• Decorative images may use minimal or empty alt-text where appropriate

6. Quality Standards for Alt-Text

Effective alt-text should:

• Be concise yet descriptive
• Avoid redundancy with surrounding text
• Exclude phrases like “image of” or “photo of” unless contextually required
• Respect privacy and safety policies

7. Automated Accessibility Tools

ReelCiety may provide AI-assisted captioning and alt-text generation features. These tools:

• Are provided for convenience only
• May contain inaccuracies or omissions
• Do not replace creator responsibility

8. Ads, Sponsored & Branded Content

Advertisers and brand partners must ensure that all promotional media complies with captioning and alt-text requirements. Failure to comply may result in:

• Ad rejection or removal
• Reduced distribution
• Account enforcement actions

9. Accessibility for Assistive Technologies

Captions and alt-text must be compatible with screen readers, braille displays, text-to-speech systems, and other assistive tools supported by ReelCiety.

10. Enforcement & Compliance

ReelCiety may apply enforcement actions for systematic failure to provide accessible media, particularly for:

• Large creators or verified businesses
• Repeat violations
• Safety-critical or public-interest content

11. User Reporting

Users may report inaccessible content through the reporting tools if captions or alt-text are missing or misleading. Reports are reviewed within the broader accessibility and safety framework.

12. Legal & Regulatory Alignment

This policy aligns with applicable accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1, disability discrimination laws, and digital accessibility regulations in supported jurisdictions.

13. Best Practices & Education

ReelCiety provides guidance and educational resources to help creators produce accessible content, including examples, templates, and accessibility prompts.

14. Policy Updates

Captioning and accessibility standards evolve over time. ReelCiety reserves the right to update this policy to reflect new technologies, legal requirements, and user needs.

15. Contact

Accessibility Team: accessibility@reelciety.com
Creator Support: creators@reelciety.com
Legal & Compliance: legal@nexa-group.org