Google Workspace user guide to accessibility

This page is for Google Workspace users. If you're an administrator, see also the Administrator guide to accessibility. 

You can use Google Workspace for online collaboration, organization, and productivity. These resources can help you get started with Google Workspace using assistive technology.

To learn about more accessibility features, visit the Google Belonging website.

Note: Some Google products might give additional guidance in their documentation. For product documentation, refer to the resources listed below.

On this page

Service accessibility:

Calendar Chat Chromebooks Chrome browser Classroom Cloud Search

Docs Drawings Drive Drive sync applications Forms Gmail Groups

Jamboard Meet Meeting room hardware Sheets Sites Slides Voice

Help: Support and feedback

Recommended browsers and screen readers

These combinations of screen readers and browsers work best with Google Workspace:

Operating system	Screen reader	Browser
Microsoft Windows	JAWS or NVDA	Chrome Browser
macOS	VoiceOver	Chrome Browser
Chrome OS	ChromeVox	Chrome Browser

Google Calendar

Use Google Calendar to create events, share your schedule, and send reminders. You can use Calendar with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• Use a screen reader with Google Calendar
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Calendar
• Use Outlook with Google Workspace

Google Chat

You can participate in private or group conversations and use apps to help automate your work. Accessibility features include screen reader support and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• Use Google Chat with accessibility features

Chromebooks

Use a Chromebook to create content, browse the internet, and communicate and collaborate with people. You can use the built-in ChromeVox screen reader, a braille display, and the on-screen keyboard.

Resources include:

• Use the built-in screen reader
• Turn on Chromebook accessibility features
• Use your Chromebook keyboard
• Zoom in or magnify your Chromebook screen
• Use a braille device with your Chromebook
• Use the on-screen keyboard
• Videos: Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility

Chrome browser

Use Chrome browser to search the internet and work with web apps. You can use Chrome browser with a screen reader, set high contrast and custom colors, and zoom in on the page.

Resources include:

• Use TalkBack to browse the web with Chrome
• Accessibility on Chrome
• Keyboard shortcuts for Chrome
• Accessibility: Assistive technology support
• Accessibility: Keyboard Access
• Accessibility: Low-Vision Support
• Use Chrome with accessibility extensions
• Videos: Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility

Classroom

You can create and join classes, manage assignments, and provide feedback on student work. You can navigate and work in Classroom using a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• About Classroom
• Use a screen reader with Classroom

Google Cloud Search

Use Google Cloud Search to find the information you need at work. You can use a screen reader to search across your organization’s content in Google Workspace services or third-party data sources.

Resources include:

• Use Cloud Search with a screen reader
• Supported Google Workspace services

Google Docs

You can create, edit, and collaborate on text documents. You can navigate and edit documents with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts, and use a braille display.

Resources include:

• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Edit documents with a screen reader
• Collaborate & comment with a screen reader
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Type with your voice
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs
• Make your document or presentation more accessible
• Video: Getting started with Google Docs using a screen reader (18.9 minutes)

Google Drawings

Create, edit, and collaborate on drawings and insert them into Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files. You can edit and navigate drawings with a screen reader and use a braille display.

Resources include:

• Create, insert & edit drawings
• Edit drawings with a screen reader
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Collaborate & comment with a screen reader
• Accessibility for Docs editors

Google Drive on the web

Create, store, and edit files using Google Drive on the web. You can use a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts to organize files into folders, store files for access from any device, and share files with others.

Resources include:

• Use a screen reader with Google Drive
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Drive on the web
• Video: Getting started with Google Drive using a screen reader (19.5 minutes)

Google Drive sync application

Use the Google Drive for desktop application to synchronize local files with Google Drive on the web. With Google Drive for desktop, files in My Drive and shared drives stream to your computer. You can access your files anywhere, at any time, on any device. Google Drive for desktop also works with a screen reader.

Resources include:

• Screen readers that work with Google Drive
• Use Drive for desktop with work or school

Google Forms

You can create forms, quizzes, and surveys; share them with people; and track responses. You can create, edit, and navigate forms with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Edit forms with a screen reader
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Forms

Gmail

Use Gmail to send and receive email in Google Workspace. You can also manage contacts and organize your messages with labels and inbox tabs. You can work with your email using a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts and set a high-contrast theme.

Resources include:

• Display and accessibility
• Use Gmail with a screen reader
• Keyboard shortcuts for Gmail
• Use IMAP to check Gmail on other email clients
• Use Outlook with Google Workspace
• Buttons in your Gmail toolbar
• Gmail themes

Google Groups

You can create and participate in discussion groups, email lists, and support sites. You can work in Groups with a screen reader and use keyboard shortcuts. Important screen elements have hints that are read by screen readers.

Resources include:

• Use Google Groups with a screen reader
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Groups

Google Jamboard

Collaborate in real time with Jamboard, a 55-inch digital whiteboard that works with Google Workspace services. With Jamboard, you can use TalkBack, the Google screen reader included on Android devices. You can also navigate Jamboard using gestures.

Resources include:

• Make Jamboard meetings more accessible

Google Meet

Use Google Meet to have video meetings with people inside or outside of your organization. You can join from a computer, mobile device, or conference room. You can participate in video meetings using a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts, and you can display the captions of the person speaking.

Note: If you record a video meeting, captions are not recorded and don't appear when you play the recording.

Resources include:

• Google Meet accessibility features
• Use captions in a video meeting
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Meet
• Make Jamboard meetings more accessible

Google meeting room hardware

Use Google meeting room hardware to join and participate in voice and video meetings. You can turn on screen magnification, spoken feedback, and live captions.

Note: If you record a video meeting, live captions are not recorded and don't appear when you play the recording.

Resources include:

• Make devices and services more accessible
• Use captions in a video meeting

Google Sheets

Use Google Sheets to create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets. You can edit and navigate spreadsheets with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts, and use a braille display.

Resources include:

• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Edit spreadsheets with a screen reader
• Collaborate & comment with a screen reader
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Sheets
• Video: Getting started with Google Sheets using a screen reader (26.3 minutes)

Google Slides

Use Google Slides to create, edit, and collaborate on presentations. You can navigate and edit presentations with a screen reader, use a braille display, and present with live captions.

Resources include:

• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Edit presentations with a screen reader
• Collaborate & comment with a screen reader
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Present slides with captions
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Slides
• Make your document or presentation more accessible
• Video: Getting started with Google Slides using a screen reader (16 minutes)

Google Sites

Create websites that are private, shared with specific people, or open to everyone on the web. You can navigate and edit websites using a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• Use Google Sites with a screen reader
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Sites
• Make your site more accessible

Google Voice

Use Google Voice for calls, text messages, and voicemail. You can use your Google voice phone number to dial domestically and internationally using your web browser and mobile devices. You can use Google Voice with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts.

Resources include:

• Google Voice Accessibility Plan
• Use Google Voice with a screen reader

Support and feedback

Get support

You can get help and information from these sources:

• Google Accessibility Help Center
• Disability Support team
• Google Belonging website
• Google Workspace Learning Center
• Google Workspace Administrator Help Center

Send feedback

You can send comments or questions about the accessibility of Google products, or the ChromeVox screen reader on these websites:

• Get in touch–Google Accessibility
• Submitting ChromeVox feedback

 

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