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 Belonging website.

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 Belonging website.

Google Accessibility Conformance Reports

To make it easier for companies, educational institutions, and government agencies to comply with accessibility standards, we provide transparent information about how our products currently work for people with disabilities.

We offer Accessibility Conformance Reports based on the Information Technology Industry Council Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). For links to our published reports, go to Google Accessibility Conformance Reports.

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 ACR (VPAT)
• Use a screen reader with Google Calendar
• Sync your calendar with computer programs

Google Chat

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

Accessibility features

• Screen reader support
• Keyboard shortcuts

Related topics

• Google Chat Mobile ACR (VPAT)
• Google Chat Web ACR (VPAT)
• Use Google Chat with accessibility features

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

• Chrome OS ACR (VPAT)
• Turn on Chromebook accessibility features
• Use the built-in screen reader
• Use the on-screen keyboard
• Use a braille device with your Chromebook

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

• Chrome for Windows ACR (VPAT)
• Chrome for macOS ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility on Chrome
• Accessibility: Assistive technology support
• Accessibility: Keyboard Access
• Videos: Chrome & Chrome OS Accessibility

Google Classroom

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

Accessibility features

• Screen reader support
• Keyboard accessible

Related topics

• Google Classroom ACR (VPAT)
• Use a screen reader with Classroom

Google Cloud

Google Cloud helps you meet your business challenges head on with cloud computing services, including data management, hybrid & multi-cloud, and AI & ML.

Accessibility features

• Keyboard shortcuts
• Accessibility features for the Google Cloud Command Line Interface Interface (gcloud CLI)

Related topics

• Google Cloud recommended browsers and screen readers 
• Google Cloud keyboard shortcuts
• Google Cloud accessibility features
• Google Cloud support and feedback
• Google Cloud CLI 

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

• Google Cloud Search ACR (VPAT)
• Use Cloud Search with a screen reader
• Supported Google Workspace services

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 Docs ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Use a screen reader on your computer
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Type with your voice

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

• Drawings ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility features for Docs editors
• Use a screen reader on your computer
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Create, insert & edit drawings

 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 ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility

Google Drive sync application

Use the Google Drive for desktop application to synchronize local files with Google Drive on the web. You can access your files anywhere, at any time, and on any device. For details, see Use Google Drive for desktop.

Accessibility features

• Use screen reader support
• Turn on keyboard accessibility
• Use your familiar editing tools
• Organize files into folders

Related topics

• Drive for desktop ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility

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 Forms ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Forms

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
• 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

• Gmail ACR (VPAT)
• Display & accessibility

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

• Google Groups ACR (VPAT)
• Use Google Groups with a screen reader
• Use keyboard shortcuts in Google Groups

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

Learn more about Google Meet accessibility.

Related topics

• Google Meet ACR (VPAT)
• Android accessibility Help Center

Google meeting room hardware

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

Accessibility features

• Spoken feedback
• Live captions

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

Related topics

• Use the Google Meet touchscreen for accessibility
• Turn on accessibility settings
• Use the remote for accessibility
• Use a keyboard for accessibility

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 Sheets ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Use a screen reader on your computer
• Keyboard shortcuts for Google Sheets
• Use a braille display with Docs editors

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

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

• Google Slides ACR (VPAT)
• Accessibility for Docs editors
• Use a screen reader on your computer
• Use a braille display with Docs editors
• Present slides with captions

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 Voice Accessibility Plan
• Google Voice ACR (VPAT)
• Use Google Voice with a screen reader

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.