Server admins!
If you're creating custom emoji, remember to fill in the section marked "Shortcode" with a short text description of the emoji. Blind people's screen reader software will be able to read the shortcode aloud so that they can hear what the emoji is.
If the emoji's shortcode includes multiple words, split them up with underscores like_this or CamelCase, so that screen readers will be able to read each word correctly.
Having touch-typed since I was 17 (a "couple" of years ago), I actually prefer using the shortcode instead of stopping to click on the emoji and find the icon.
this is :slight + Enter
This is :heart + Enter
Much faster!
Yes, you can type emoji on Mastodon using colon and the name of the shortcode.