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.
On this page
Approach and tools:
- Google's approach to accessibility
- Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
- Choose and set up accessibility tools
Service accessibility:
Help: Support and feedback
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 vision 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 assistive 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 strive 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, visit the Google Accessibility website.
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 information about a product’s accessibility, open its 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.
Turn on accessibility features in your Google Admin console
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 Gmail (available for Google Workspace customers only), you can turn on the following accessibility features:
- Turn on POP and IMAP access so users can get their email in their familiar client. For details, go to Turn on POP and IMAP on and off for users.
- 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.
- Use Google Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO) to synchronize email, calendar events, and contacts between Google Workspace and Microsoft Outlook. This setup lets users use Outlook as a client for Google Workspace. GWSMO isn’t supported for Mac. For details, go to Administrator setup for GWSMO.
For Chrome OS, you can use or turn on the following accessibility features:
- 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.
- Let users download and use accessibility extensions. For details, go to Overview: Managing Chrome device policies.
- You can preinstall extensions or applications for your users in your Google Admin console. For details, go to Automatically install apps and extensions.
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
- Google Calendar VPAT
- Use a screen reader with Google Calendar
- Sync your calendar with computer programs
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
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
- Chrome OS VPAT
- Turn on Chromebook accessibility features
- Use the built-in screen reader
- Use the on-screen keyboard
- Use a braille device with your Chromebook
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
- Chrome for Windows VPAT
- Chrome for macOS VPAT
- Accessibility on Chrome
- Accessibility: Assistive technology support
- Accessibility: Keyboard Access
- Videos: Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility
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
You can create and join classes, manage assignments, and provide feedback on student work.
Accessibility features
- Screen reader support
- Keyboard accessible
Related topics
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
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 Docs VPAT
- Accessibility for Docs editors
- Use a screen reader on your computer
- Use a braille display with Docs editors
- Type with your voice
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
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 Google Drive for desktop 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 for desktop—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 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
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 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
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
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 Sheets VPAT
- Accessibility for Docs editors
- Use a screen reader on your computer
- Keyboard shortcuts for Google Sheets
- Use a braille display with Docs editors
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 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
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
Support and feedback
Note: This guide describes 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.
- If you have questions about using assistive technology and accessibility features with Google products, you can contact the Disability Support team.
- Google Workspace administrators can submit a support ticket in the Google Admin console. For details, go to Contact Google Workspace support.
- If you're a prospective customer, you can contact sales.
Google, Google Workspace, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.
