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