Accessibility in Google Chat

Overview

You can use Google Chat with platform accessibility features and technologies, such as screen readers. It has several built-in accessibility features, like:

Keyboard shortcuts
Suggested replies
Spelling and grammar correction

For best results, use the latest version of:

Chat
Browser
Operating system
Assistive technology

Vision

To interact with your device with touch and spoken feedback, turn on Android’s TalkBack screen reader. As you perform actions, TalkBack describes Chat elements and content. It also informs you about alerts and notifications.

To customize the appearance of Chat, you have multiple options.

If you need enhanced contrast or different colors, you can use Android features, like:

For more information on low vision assistance available on your platform, refer to Android Accessibility Help Center. Features include:

Screen magnification
Text scaling
Screen resolution
Select to speak

Hearing

While most chat conversations don’t include audio, it’s possible to start a video meeting or call someone. If you’re in a video meeting or a call, to follow the conversation, turn on captions.

In a video or audio call, tap More options Settings.
Select Captions Live captions.
- Or, to send text instead of speaking, tap In call messages.

Tip: If all meeting participants understand sign language, there’s no need for captions or in call messages.

Some accounts allow you to:

For more information on how to route platform audio to hearing aids, refer to the Android Accessibility Help Center.

Alternative input

If you want to reduce your keyboard input, you can:

These optional smart features can improve the efficiency of all Chat users and help those who need to minimize mouse or keyboard input:

Smart Compose
Smart Reply
Auto-correct

These Android features for interaction and dexterity may be useful:

To navigate and interact with the Meet user interface, add a switch device.
To navigate and interact by voice, configure Android’s Voice Access.
Add a touchpad and cursor to the “Assistant” menu.
Configure touch sensitivity and duration settings.
Add a physical keyboard with:

Sticky keys
Slow keys
Bounce keys

For more information on platform settings for alternative input, refer to the Android Accessibility Help Center.

Voice

While most chat conversations don’t include audio, it’s possible to start a video meeting or call someone. If that happens, you can participate when you send:

Reactions
“In call messages”
- To send, tap More options In call messages.

If you use an electrolarynx, we recommend you turn off noise cancellation.

In a video or audio call, tap More options Settings .
Turn off Noise cancellation.

Cognition

Some people with processing disorders, distraction issues, or other cognitive challenges, need or want extensive hints, more information density, and attention grabbing UI to keep them on task. Others require a less complex UI with minimal distractions. Which is why Google Chat provides settings and features to address these issues with toggles to turn individual features on or off. Examples include:

Optional Smart compose that can learn from you
Conversation summaries
Optional autocorrect
Configure desktop notifications

Refer to the Android Accessibility Help Center to explore additional features that may be useful, like:

Animation toggle
Notification timeout and appearance
Select to speak