Accessibility

Note: By default, the accessibility settings are turned off until the user turns them on in the Chromebook accessibility settings or by using keyboard shortcuts. We strongly advise using caution before disabling any of the accessibility features, as this can cause problems for users with disabilities or particular needs. If a policy is left unset, users can access the feature anytime. However, if you set a policy, users can’t change or override it.

Accessibility shortcuts

Lets you configure whether or not accessibility keyboard shortcuts are disabled. If this policy is left unset, keyboard shortcuts will be available for your users, however you can set the policy to Disable accessibility shortcuts.

For more information, see Turn on Chromebook accessibility features.

ChromeVox spoken feedback

The ChromeVox screen reader helps users with visual impairments. When turned on, their Chromebook will read aloud text that is on the screen. For users who are hearing impaired, this feature will allow the text to be shown on a connected braille display.

For details, see Use the built-in screen reader and Use a braille device with your Chromebook.

Select-to-speak

Users can hear specific text on a page read aloud, including specific words, selections of text, or sections of the screen. View word-by-word highlighting as words are read aloud for a better audio and visual experience.

For details, see Hear text read aloud.

High contrast

High contrast mode changes the font and background color scheme to make pages easier to read. This setting can be turned on through the accessibility settings or by pressing Ctrl + Search + h.

Screen magnifier

Lets the user zoom in their screen up to 20x the default size. You can disable the screen magnifier or determine the type of screen magnifier that is enabled for your users.

For details, see Zoom in or magnify your Chromebook screen.

Sticky keys

Turns on the ability for shortcut key combinations to be typed in sequence without needing to press several keys at once. For example, instead of pressing the Ctrl and V keys at the same time, sticky keys lets the user activate this command by first pressing Ctrl and then pressing V after. This feature can be especially helpful for users who have physical disabilities.

For details, see Use keyboard shortcuts one key at a time

On-screen keyboard

This on-screen keyboard feature allows the input of characters without the need for physical keys. An on-screen keyboard is typically used on devices with a touchscreen interface, but it’s also accessible using a touchpad, mouse, or connected joystick.

For details, see Use the on-screen keyboard.

Dictation

Users can type long documents, emails and school essays using their voice instead of a keyboard.

For details, see Type text with your voice

Keyboard focus highlighting

This feature highlights objects on the screen as users navigate through them using the keyboard. It helps your users identify where they are on a page while filling in forms or selecting an option.

Caret highlight

While editing text, this feature highlights the area that surrounds the caret, also known as the cursor.

Auto-click

The mouse cursor will automatically click or scroll where it hovers. This can be helpful for users who find clicking the mouse or touchpad difficult.

For details, see Automatically click objects on your Chromebook.

Large cursor

Increases the size of the mouse cursor so that it's more visible on the screen.

Cursor highlight

Creates a colored focus ring around the mouse cursor for better visibility on the screen.

Primary mouse button

Changes the order of the primary mouse button and touchpad from left to right. If this policy is not set, the left mouse button will be primary, but it can be changed anytime.

Mono audio

Changes the audio outputs on Chrome devices so that the same volume plays through the left and right built-in speakers and headphones. This setting can be useful for users who have better hearing in one ear than the other.

Image descriptions

Lets users who use a screen reader or other similar assistive technology in Chrome get descriptions of unlabeled images on the web, such as images that don’t have alt text. Chrome sends images to Google to create the descriptions. No cookies or other user data is sent, and Google does not save or log any image content.

For details, see Get image descriptions on Chrome.