The following information provides resources for interacting with the Google Workspace platform for individuals using assistive technology. This information includes options for Stanford Google Email, Calendar, and Google Drive. As described below, third-party applications, such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail, may offer greater interoperability with assistive technology. Google currently maintains a full resource on Google products and accessibility.
Stanford Gmail may be used through both the web interface or by configuring a third-party client application (e.g., Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail) to send and receive mail. If using the web interface, you may wish to review the keyboard shortcuts that are available.
For blind or visually-impaired individuals using a screen-reader application, Google recommends the use of JAWS for Windows and Firefox or the Chrome browser with the ChromeVox screen-reader extension to best utilize the Gmail web interface.
- Configuring email clients for use with Stanford Gmail
- Email keyboard shortcuts
- Email and screen-readers
Calendar
Calendar is best used through a third-party client application (e.g., Outlook, iCal) or in the Agenda view if using the web interface and assistive technology. If using the web interface, you may also wish to review the keyboard shortcuts that are available.
For blind or visually-impaired individuals using a screen-reader application, Google recommends the use of JAWS for Windows and Internet Explorer 9 or the Chrome browser with the ChromeVox screen-reader extension to best utilize the Calendar web interface. At this time, the Agenda view is the most functional with screen-reader applications.
- Configuring calendar clients for use with Calendar
- Calendar keyboard shortcuts
- Calendar and screen-readers
Google Drive
Google Drive provides a rich web-interface with customized keyboard commands for composing and editing documents in a collaborative fashion. For blind or visually-impaired individuals using a screen-reader application, Google recommends the Chrome browser with the ChromeVox screen-reader extension to best utilize the Google Drive web interface. The combination of JAWS for Windows and Firefox web browser may be used but may not provide full support within the Google Drive interface.
- Use Google Docs with a screen reader
- Use Google Sheets with a screen reader
- Grackle Talks - a free Chrome plugin for Google Docs to check accessibility and export an accessible PDF.
Questions or need assistance?
If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about using your assistive technologies with the Google Workspace platform, including email, calendar, and Google Docs, please let us know by submitting a Help ticket for accessibility support. Please provide as much detail as you can in the Help ticket so we can address your accessibility issue.
