Chrome Books Key Accessibility Features
Some of the key accessibility features offered by Google on Chrome Books:
Screen Reader (ChromeVox): Chromebooks come with an integrated screen reader called ChromeVox, which provides spoken feedback to assist users with visual impairments in navigating the interface and using applications.
Magnification: Users can zoom in on the screen to enlarge text and images for better visibility through the built-in magnification feature.
High Contrast Mode: This mode adjusts the colours and contrast on the screen to enhance visibility for users with low vision or colour blindness.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Chromebooks offer a range of keyboard shortcuts for various functions, making it easier for users who might have difficulty using a mouse or touchpad.
Dictation: Users can utilize the built-in speech recognition feature to dictate text rather than typing, which can be beneficial for individuals with motor disabilities or those who prefer voice input.
Switch Access: Chromebooks support external switches or keyboards for users who require alternative methods of input due to limited mobility.
Reading Mode: To access Chrome’s inbuilt reading mode, navigate to ‘More Tools’ and ‘Reading Mode’. This tool will open a sidebar within the browser where text can be altered regarding font size, colour theme, and typeface.
Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud): Users can have text read aloud to them, aiding those with reading difficulties or visual impairments.
Closed Captions and Subtitles: Chromebooks support closed captions and subtitles for multimedia content, making videos and other media accessible to users with hearing impairments.
Accessibility Settings: Chromebooks offer a centralized settings section where users can customize various accessibility options, including font size, cursor size, and more.
Braille Display Support: Chromebooks can connect to compatible Braille displays, allowing blind users to read and interact with the content on the screen.
Global Accessibility Settings: Users can set preferences for specific accessibility features that will be applied across all websites and apps, ensuring a consistent experience.
Easy Navigation and Gestures: Chromebooks provide intuitive gestures for navigation, which can be particularly helpful for users with limited dexterity.
On-Screen Keyboard: A virtual keyboard is available on the screen, allowing users to input text without requiring a physical keyboard.
Mouse and Pointer Settings: Users can adjust the sensitivity and appearance of the mouse pointer to better suit their needs.
Alternative Text: Chromebooks encourage the use of alternative text for images, which screen readers can read aloud, ensuring that users with visual impairments understand the content.
> How to turn on Chromebook accessibility features
> How to make Chromebooks accessible
Chrome Accessibility Extensions: Chrome has a number of accessiblity add-ons that can be used to increase ease of access to webpage material. Please note: These will have to be installed via the Chrome Web Store before they can be used. Chrome extensions include VI accommodations such as Colour Enhancer and High Contrast. A broader list of accessiblity extensions can be found here.
Google Chrome Accessibility Features
Screen Reader Compatibility: Google Chrome works well with popular screen readers like JAWS and NVDA, making web content accessible to individuals with visual impairments.
ChromeVox Screen Reader Extension: Chrome offers the ChromeVox extension, a built-in screen reader that reads aloud web content and assists users with visual impairments in navigating websites.
Keyboard Navigation: Chrome provides keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation and interaction, enabling users who have difficulty using a mouse or touchpad to browse the web effectively.
Zoom and Page Magnification: Users can easily zoom in on web pages, enhancing text and image visibility for those with visual challenges.
High Contrast Mode: Chrome supports a high contrast mode, altering webpage colours and contrast to enhance readability for users with low vision or colour blindness.
Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud): The “Read Aloud” feature in Chrome can read webpage content aloud, aiding users with reading difficulties or visual impairments.
Speech Recognition: Google Chrome incorporates speech recognition for voice-based search and input, benefiting individuals with motor impairments or those who prefer voice commands.
Captions and Transcripts: Chrome supports closed captions and subtitles for HTML5 videos, improving access to multimedia content for users with hearing impairments.
Tab and Window Management: Users can organize tabs and windows efficiently, benefiting individuals with cognitive or focus-related challenges.
Text Scaling: Chrome allows users to adjust text size, helping those with visual impairments or reading difficulties to comfortably view web content.
Focus Highlight: When navigating through web pages using the keyboard, Chrome can highlight elements in focus, aiding users in tracking their location.
Customizable Fonts and Backgrounds: Users can modify fonts and background colours, personalizing the browsing experience to suit their preferences and needs.
Automatic Form Filling: Chrome can save and fill in form data, benefiting users with mobility or memory difficulties by reducing the need for manual data entry.
Link and Button Focus: Chrome provides clear visual indicators for focused links and buttons, aiding users who navigate primarily using the keyboard.
Developer Tools for Accessibility: Chrome’s developer tools include accessibility audits, helping web developers create more inclusive and usable websites.
Google Accessibility for Android Devices
Accessibility features for Android devices:
Talkback Screen Reader: Android includes Talkback, a built-in screen reader that provides spoken feedback, enabling users with visual impairments to navigate the interface and use apps.
Magnification Gestures: Users can magnify parts of the screen using gestures, enhancing visibility for individuals with low vision.
Font and Display Size Customization: Android allows users to adjust font size and display settings, accommodating different visual preferences and impairments.
Colour Correction: Colour correction options help users with colour vision deficiencies by adjusting the display’s colour palette.
Switch Access: Android supports switch devices and external keyboards for users with limited motor function, allowing alternative methods of interaction.
Voice Access: Users can control their device using voice commands, aiding those with mobility impairments.
Live Caption: Android can automatically generate captions for media content with spoken words, benefiting users with hearing impairments.
Sound Amplifier: This feature enhances audio by fine-tuning sound frequencies, aiding users who are hard of hearing.
Subtitles and Captions Settings: Android offers settings to enable and customize subtitles and captions for various types of content.
Gesture Navigation: Android provides intuitive gesture-based navigation options, which can be beneficial for users with limited dexterity.
High Contrast Text and Theme: Users can enable high contrast text and themes to improve visibility and legibility.
Mono Audio: This setting combines stereo audio channels into a single channel, aiding users with hearing differences in both ears.
Closed Caption Settings for Calls: Android supports closed captions during phone calls to assist users with hearing impairments.
Screen Magnification Shortcut: Users can quickly magnify the screen by triple-tapping, simplifying the process for those with visual challenges.
Accessible Apps and Services: Android encourages developers to design apps and services that adhere to accessibility guidelines, ensuring a consistent experience.
Braille Display Support: Android devices can connect to compatible Braille displays, enabling tactile interaction for users with visual impairments.
Global Accessibility Shortcut: A dedicated hardware button or gesture can be set up to access accessibility features quickly.