Environment

Google Meet

Issue

How do I navigate Google Meet via keyboard or screen reader?

Resolution

Google Meet is mostly accessible for screen reader users on both desktop and mobile, and most tasks can be performed by screen readers. For information about getting set up with Google Meet, refer to Getting Started with Google Meet. 

Desktop: Windows or Mac

Settings

Once you are signed in, you can adjust your settings from the main screen.

If you select Settings, you are taken into a multipage dialog, including an Audio tab and a Video tab. This functions like a standard dialog: you can use Tab and Shift + Tab to navigate through controls and use Left Arrow and Right Arrow when on the tab group to switch tabs.

In a Meeting

Once you have selected a meeting, entered a code, or started creating a meeting, you have the option to turn off and on the camera and microphone, present your screen, or join by phone. All these controls are standard buttons or buttons that bring up menus. These menus can be navigated with the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys.

Once you are in the call, there are buttons that show participant options, chat with other users, turn the camera and microphone on and off, turn captions on and off, and leave the meeting.

If you open Chat or Show participant options, you are taken into a new section of the window that contains a tab panel. In both cases, it is the same tab panel with two tabs; however, each button opens the panel with the matching tab selected initially. To close this panel, you may need to press Escape twice to exit due to Windows screen readers being in forms mode: one press of the Tab key exits forms mode, and the second closes the panel.

There are also buttons that open menus to present your screen and adjust settings. Press Enter on these to navigate the menus with the arrow keys.

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.