How To Make Google Meet More Accessible?
Here's how to make virtual meetings work for everyone!
In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we're excited to spot Google Meet’s latest accessibility feature that helps make virtual meetings smoother and more accessible. As shared by Caterina Rivera on LinkedIn, these tools are helping people stay connected, productive, and engaged in ways that work best for them, and it’s great to see how they support a range of needs.
1. Live Captions for Clear Communication
Google Meet offers real-time captions, making it easier for anyone to follow along in meetings without missing a beat. This is especially useful for those who prefer or need written text, and with translation options, conversations can happen across different languages, too.
2. Tile Pairing for Sign Language Interpretation
With Google Meet’s Tile Pairing feature, users can have their video tile shown side-by-side with an interpreter, making it clear who’s speaking and allowing for smoother communication in meetings. This is a simple but effective way to ensure that everyone is part of the conversation.
3. Audio Cues and Screen Reader Compatibility
For users who benefit from audio assistance, Google Meet can announce important actions like who’s presenting, who’s raised a hand, or new chat messages. These cues help everyone stay engaged and follow along without missing any updates.
4. Remove Video Distractions to Stay Focused
To make it easier to focus, Google Meet has offered a “Remove Video Distractions” option. Just click the three dots on someone’s video tile and select “Stop Video” if you need to limit visual clutter on your screen. This feature can be a big help for staying focused, especially when you have a lot going on in a meeting.
5. Handy Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Navigation
For those who like to move quickly through tasks, keyboard shortcuts on Google Meet are a real timesaver. Popular shortcuts include using the space bar for push-to-talk, Control + Alt + P to show or hide participants, and Control + Alt + I to get room info. These shortcuts make navigation smoother, letting you focus on the meeting instead of finding the right button.
Tools like these make meetings more inclusive and help everyone feel part of the conversation. By keeping accessibility in mind, Google Meet is creating a space where everyone can contribute fully.
