Use Google Voice with a screen reader

You can do things like make calls, send messages and check your voicemail.

Check which browser works with your screen reader

• Mac: Chrome or Safari with VoiceOver
• Chromebook: Chrome with ChromeVox
• Windows: Chrome or Firefox with NVDA or JAWS

Turn your screen reader on or off

• VoiceOver: Use Command+F5.
• Chromevox: Use Ctrl+Alt+Z.
• NVDA:
  • Turn it on using Ctrl+Alt+N.
  • Turn it off using Caps Lock+Q.

Get to know the settings

• Main menu: View things like your messages, calls, voicemail, settings, credit and archives.
• Search bar: Find past calls, message history and your contacts.
• Messages tab: Send messages to your contacts and see old messages.
• Calls tab: Make phone calls to your contacts and see your call history.
• Voicemail tab: Listen to voicemail messages left to your phone number.
• All navigation options: Switch between sections with the up and down arrow keys.

Make a call

1. On your computer, go to Google Voice.
2. Turn on the screen reader.
3. Tab to the calls tab and press Enter.
4. Tab to the Make a call button and press Enter.
5. Type in a name or phone number.
6. To find a contact in the search result, use the up and down arrow keys.
7. To start the call, press Enter.

Send a message

1. On your computer, go to Google Voice.
2. Turn on the screen reader.
3. Tab to the messages tab and press Enter.
4. Tab to the Send a message button and press Enter.
5. Type in a name or phone number.
6. To find a contact in the search result, use the up and down arrow keys.
7. To select the recipient, press Enter.
8. Type your message.
9. To send it, press Enter.

Turn on high-contrast mode

1. On your computer, go to Google Voice.
2. Turn on the screen reader.
3. Go to your settings from the main menu and press Enter.
4. To move to the 'Accessibility' section, use the up and down arrow keys.
5. Select New tab .
6. Press Enter.
7. Turn on High-contrast colours.
8. Go back to Google Voice and then refresh the page.

Learn keyboard shortcuts

• To make a call from any view, press C.
• To send a new message from any view, press M.

Note: To find the keyboard shortcut guide, press Shift+/.