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 the VoiceOver screen reader. As you perform actions, VoiceOver 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 to adjust colors, you can use iPhone features like:
For more information on other low vision assistance, refer to Accessibility features on iPhone. Features include:
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
- Select Show captions.
- Or, to send text instead of speaking, tap In call messages.
Settings.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 Accessibility features on iPhone.
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 iPhone features for interaction and dexterity may be useful:
- To navigate and interact with the Chat user interface, add a switch device.
- To navigate without touch, use Eye Tracking.
- To navigate and interact by voice, configure iPhone Voice Control.
- Add a Touchpad and cursor to the Assistant menu.
- Configure:
- AssistiveTouch
- Touch sensitivity
- Duration settings
- Add a physical keyboard with:
For more information on platform settings for interaction or dexterity, refer to the accessibility features for mobility.
Voice
While most chat conversations don’t include audio, it’s possible to start a video meeting or call someone. If that happens you, you can participate when you send:
- Reactions.
- “In call messages”
- To send, tap More options
- To send, tap More options
If you use an electrolarynx, we recommend you turn off noise cancellation.
- In a video or audio call, tap More options
.
- 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:
- Conversation summaries
- Optional autocorrect
- Configure desktop notifications
Refer to cognitive accessibility features to explore additional features that may be useful, like:
- Toggling animation
- Notification timeout and appearance
- Select to speak
Related resources
- Google Accessibility Help Center (email [email protected] for approval to include this HC in your article)
- Google Accessibility Conformance Reports
- Navigate Google Chat
- Create a space
- Get started with accessibility features on iPhone
- Get started with accessibility features on iPad