In 2015 we surveyed Disabled Employee Network Groups on their use of social media and uptake and interest was overwhelmingly low. 

There are a number of reasons why this may be the case from: external social media not being supported by your organisation, difficulty in knowing how to ‘brand’ disability, feeling that social media is not relevant or just not knowing where to start.

We created ‘Virtually Purple’ to help disabled employee networks and resource groups to work, in support of their organisation, to take their first steps towards joining the big digital conversations individual disability confidence at work. Virtually Purple will support you through those first steps towards embracing social media: overcoming the fear factor, engaging allies, strategy and planning and keeping you and your network safe online. It also includes case studies from organisations and networks that are already using social media to change the world.

Download your free copy of 'Virtually Purple' at the bottom of the page. 

Other advice

For more detailed advice about different social media platforms, policies and accessibility we are signposting to others who have more experience and knowledge.

General guidance

The Charity Social Media Toolkit

A fantastic and comprehensive guide for those new to social media, covering everything from the basics of how to develop a strategy, manage social media day to day and measure success.Visit the Charity Social Media Toolkit

Guidance on individual social media platforms

Twitter tips for Network Groups

The team at inclusive networks have brought together some ‘Twitter’ Top Tips that may help you get buy in from your organisation to launch an account, give you some inspiration and help you to engage with fellow tweeters. Twitter is probably our favourite social media platform at PurpleSpace so this is definitely worth a read.Read the Twitter Tips for Network Groups here

CIPD Putting social media to work: lessons from employers

A report examining the approaches that different organisations have taken in developing their use of social media with employees. The report includes case studies from: Devon and Cornwall Police, Marks & Spencer and Southeastern and provides detail on their operating contexts, their uses of social technology and the benefits they have observed.Download the CIPD ‘Putting social media to work’ report here

Guidance on Social Media and Accessibility

GDS Social Media Playbook – Accessibility

The Government’s Digital Engagement and Design team have created some accessibility standards for social media for adoption by other government teams. We’ve already learnt a lot from this one.Visit the GDS Social Media Playbook

Social Media for people with disabilities

A resource from Media Access Australia which looks at how accessibility issues found in each of the most popular social media tools could be overcome. The SociAbility: social media for people with a disability review, enabling all users to have equal access to the inclusion which social media allows.Find out more about the SociAbility report here

Social media scheduling and performance tools

These tools are great for planning and scheduling social media in advance, which is great for small part-time social media teams. 

Buffer

Buffer provides social media scheduling, publishing & analytics as well as useful social media insightsFind out more about Buffer

HootSuite

HootSuite is a social relationship platform that allows scheduling and collaboration. They also blog and educate social media users via their webinarsFind out more about HootSuite

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