Google Workspace admin guide to accessibility

This page is for Google Workspace administrators. For help using Google Workspace services, see the Google Workspace user guide to accessibility.

This guide is a summary of accessibility features in Google Workspace and other Google services. To learn about more accessibility features, visit the Google Accessibility website.

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Before you begin

Google's approach to accessibility
Google's mission is to make the world's information more accessible for all users, including people with disabilities, such as visual impairment, color deficiency, and hearing impairment.
We're working toward these goals by:
  • Building accessibility into Google products
  • Developing accessibility APIs and services for Android and Chrome OS platforms
  • Supporting open standards to ensure that the ecosystem of web and mobile products is accessible through all adaptive technologies

Google Workspace users need to work together at any time, so we're investing in development to make collaboration as accessible as possible.

A guiding principle at Google is to focus on the user. We've developed active partnerships with advocacy groups and people with disabilities for their input and feedback. Our Accessibility team is a diverse group. They serve as accessibility consultants within Google and develop the accessibility frameworks that product teams build on.

We hope to have a positive impact on the current state of accessibility in web and mobile products, and to continue to serve all of our users. To learn more about accessibility at Google, please visit the Google Accessibility website.

Third-party configurations
Parts of this guide describe how Google products work with third-party screen readers (such as JAWS®, NVDA, and VoiceOver®) and third-party browsers (for example, Mozilla® Firefox®) and the configurations that Google recommends.
Google provides no technical support for configuring third-party products. Consult the product's website for the latest configuration and support information. For consulting services, visit the Google Cloud Partner Directory.
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
To make it easier for companies, educational institutions, and government agencies to comply with accessibility standards, Google provides information about how our products currently work for people with disabilities.
For accessibility information about a product, access a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT):

Choose and set up accessibility tools

Browsers and screen readers
For a list of browsers and screen readers that work best with Google Workspace, visit the Google Workspace user guide to accessibility.
Google Admin console settings
To meet the accessibility needs of your users, you can change Gmail and Chrome OS settings in your Google Admin console—for all or just a specific set of users. For details, go to Turn a service on or off for Google Workspace users.
Gmail settings (Google Workspace only)
POP and IMAP access

Turn on POP and IMAP access so users can access their email in their familiar client.

For details, go to Turn on POP and IMAP on and off for users.
Themes

You can let users change the colors and background for Gmail. Users with visual or learning impairments might benefit from the High-contrast theme. Changing themes doesn't affect Gmail content, functionality, or any settings you apply, such as a custom logo.

For details, go to Gmail themes.
G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook

Synchronize email, calendar events, and contacts between Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook so you can use Outlook as a client for Google Workspace.

For details, go to Set up Google Workspace for Outlook for your users.

Note: G Suite Sync for Microsoft Outlook is not supported for Mac.

 

Chrome OS settings
ChromeVox

ChromeVox is the built-in screen reader for Chrome OS and is preinstalled on all Chromebooks and Chromeboxes.

To turn on ChromeVox, users press Control+Alt+Z.
Allow accessibility extensions

Let users download and use accessibility extensions.

For details, go to Overview: Managing Chrome device policies.
Preinstall extensions

You can preinstall extensions or applications for your users in your Google Admin console.

For details, go to Automatically install apps and extensions.

 

Gmail and Calendar

Gmail
Use Gmail to send and receive email in Google Workspace. You can also organize messages with labels and inbox tabs.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support in standard view and basic HTML view
  • Supports Microsoft Outlook as an email client
  • Supports POP and IMAP for existing email clients
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • High-contrast theme for the Gmail interface
  • Buttons displayed as text instead of icons
  • Accessibility features in standard view, such as ARIA landmarks, headings, conversation summary announcements, skip links, and shortcut keys
  • Core functionality accessible through keyboard 

Related topics

Google Calendar
With Google Calendar, you can create events, share your schedule, and send reminders.

Accessibility features

  • Keyboard accessible
  • Screen reader support
  • Screen magnifiers support
  • Use ARIA tags and element labels
  • Supports Microsoft Outlook as a calendar client

Related topics

 Drive and Cloud Search

Google Drive on the web
Create, store, and edit files using Google Drive on the web. Users can organize files into folders, store files for access from any device, and share files with others.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard accessibility
  • Third-party app integration
  • Keyboard shortcuts

Related topics

Google Drive sync applications
Use the Drive File Stream or Backup and Sync applications to synchronize local files with Google Drive on the web. You can access your files anywhere, at any time, on any device.
  • Backup and Sync—Files in My Drive and other selected folders reside on users' computers and synchronize to the cloud.
  • Drive File Stream—Files in My Drive and shared drives stream to users' computers.

Accessibility features for both applications

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard accessibility
  • Use your familiar editing tools
  • Organize files into folders

Related topics

Google Cloud Search
Use Google Cloud Search to find the information you need at work. It searches across your organization's content in Google Workspace services or third-party data sources.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard accessibility

Related topics

 Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google Docs
You can create, edit, and collaborate on text documents.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support, including spoken notifications and collaborator information
  • Keyboard shortcuts for reading, editing, and navigation
  • Braille display support to read and edit documents
  • Screen magnifier support
  • Type, edit, and format documents using your voice
  • Supports alt text on images

Related topics

Google Sheets
You can create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets. 

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support, including spoken notifications and collaborator information
  • Keyboard shortcuts for reading, editing, and navigation
  • Braille display support to read and edit spreadsheets
  • Screen magnifier support
  • Supports alt text on charts and images

Related topics

Google Slides
You can create, edit, and collaborate on presentations. 

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support, including spoken notifications and collaborator information
  • Keyboard shortcuts for reading, editing, and navigation
  • Braille display support to read and edit presentations
  • Screen magnifier support
  • Voice text entry in speaker notes 
  • Present slides with automated closed captions
  • Supports alt text on images

Related topics

Forms, Sites, and Drawings 

Google Forms
You can create forms, quizzes, and surveys; share them with people; and track responses.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts to create, edit, and navigate forms

Related topics

Google Sites
Create websites that are private, shared with specific people, or open to everyone on the web.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts to navigate and edit sites

Related topics

Google Drawings
Create, edit, and collaborate on drawings and insert them into Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Braille display to read and edit drawings 
  • Screen magnifier support
  • Supports alt text on images
  • Keyboard shortcuts to create, edit, and navigate drawings

Related topics

 App Maker

Google App Maker
You can build web apps for your organization. You can design the app yourself or use a template and adapt it to meet your needs.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • ARIA hints on important screen elements

Related topics

Groups and Classroom

Google Groups
You can create and participate in discussion groups, email lists, and support sites.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • ARIA hints on important screen elements

Related topics

Classroom
You can create and join classes, manage assignments, and provide feedback on student work. 

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard accessible

Related topics

Voice, Chat, Meet, and classic Hangouts

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.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard accessible

Related topics

Google Chat
You can participate in private or group conversations and use bots to help automate your work.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts

Related topics

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.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Live captions
  • Keyboard shortcuts

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

Related topics

Google meeting room hardware
Use Google meeting room hardware to join and participate in voice and video meetings. 

Accessibility features

  • Spoken feedback
  • Live captions
  • High-contrast mode for classic Hangouts

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

Related topics

Classic Hangouts
Users can participate in video calls, chat conversations, and make phone calls. You can also send text messages with a Google Voice or Google Fi phone number.

Accessibility features

  • Screen reader support
  • Keyboard shortcuts in video calls and chat conversations

Related topics

Chrome Browser and Chromebooks 

Chrome Browser
Use Chrome Browser to search the internet and work with web apps.

Accessibility features

  • Keyboard accessible
  • Screen reader support
  • Full-page zoom
  • Adjusting font face and size
  • High-contrast and custom color support
  • Chrome Browser extension for high-contrast themes
  • Accessibility extensions, including ChromeVox (screen reader) and ChromeVis (magnify and change color of text)

Related topics

Chromebooks
Use a Chromebook to create content, browse the internet, and communicate and collaborate with people.

Accessibility features

  • ChromeVox screen reader
  • High-contrast mode
  • Screen magnification
  • On-screen keyboard
  • Braille device compatibility

Related topics

Support and feedback

If you have questions about using assistive technology and accessibility features with Google products, you can contact the Disability Support team. 

Current Google Workspace customers
Google Workspace administrators can submit a support ticket in the Google Admin console. For details, go to Contact Google Workspace support.
Prospective Google Workspace customers
If you're a prospective customer, you can contact sales.