Making Chromebooks accessible

for people with disabilities

Chromebooks come with helpful accessibility features created using inclusive design principles and based on user feedback, to empower people with disabilities to learn, play and connect.

Display and visuals

Built to enhance visual clarity

People who are blind or low-vision can take full advantage of Chromebooks thanks to the following features.

A woman is seated on a couch petting an off-duty guide dog

Invert colors

with a quick keyboard shortcut

High contrast mode inverts colors to make on-screen content easier to read for people with low vision or for those working in bright environments. It can also reduce the effects of screen glare to make work more comfortable in any environment. Try the shortcut: Ctrl + Search ( ) + H to activate it.

Try high contrast mode
A Chromebook is open, showing the home screen in default contrast. Toggling the high contrast displays the same Chromebook with inverted colors.
Audio and captions

Building for users who are deaf or hard of hearing

Chromebooks include features that make technology more accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Two women have a conversation using sign language discussing a magazine article.
Spoken feedback

Spoken feedback tools for people with low-vision or dyslexia

Spoken feedback tools on Chromebook help people, especially those with low-vision or dyslexia, get the most out of technology.

How to use Select-to-Speak on your Chromebook

Length of the video: 5 minutes 15 seconds
Motor

Providing more ways to enter information

People with motor disabilities and dexterity impairments can use Chromebooks thanks to features designed with this community in mind.

How to use speech to enter text on your Chromebook

Length of video: 5 minutes 57 seconds

Type using your voice with

Dictation

The Dictation feature on Chromebook lets people enter text into any field using their voice. Dictation can be especially helpful for those with motor disabilities or dexterity impairments, or anyone who wants to take a break from typing. In your Chromebook’s accessibility settings under “Keyboard and text input,” select “Enable Dictation (speak to type).”

A Chromebook is open, showing the functionality of the dictation feature.

How to turn on

Chromebook accessibility features

Step 1

Visit your Settings

Step 2

Navigate to the bottom of the menu and select “Advanced”

Step 3

In the “Accessibility” section, select “Manage accessibility features” to choose the features you want to enable

Making the digital world more accessible

Student using a chromebook

Google for Education

Students in the same classroom learn in different ways. That’s why Google for Education products, including Chromebooks and G Suite for Education, are built with accessibility in mind, to help every student achieve their full potential.

Android logo

Android Accessibility

Learn about more accessibility tools on Android.

David Tseng, Technical Lead for ChromeOS accessibility services

Meet the team

David Tseng, Technical Lead for ChromeOS accessibility services, shares how he’s dedicated his career to using technology to break down barriers for people with disabilities.