First-time keyboard guide
Use this short routine before following the Google Meet Screen Reader Manual procedures. It explains exactly how the keyboard directions in this manual work.
Press a single key
- Find the named key without pressing it if possible.
- Press and release the key one time. Do not hold it unless the step specifically says to hold it.
- Stop and listen to the full screen-reader announcement before pressing another key.
Press a keyboard combination
- When a command contains a plus sign, such as Ctrl+S, hold down the first key.
- While continuing to hold the first key, press and release the final key once.
- Release the first key. The plus sign is not a key and should not be pressed.
- Listen for the expected result described in the procedure. If nothing changes, verify that the correct application or webpage has focus and try the command once more.
Press a sequence of keys
- When keys are separated by commas or the word “then,” press and release them in order instead of holding them together.
- After each key, listen for a menu, tab, control, or new screen before continuing.
- If the announcement does not match the step, press Escape once to close the current menu or dialog and restart that procedure.
Know which navigation key to try
- Tab and Shift+Tab: move forward and backward among buttons, links, fields, and other controls.
- Arrow keys: move inside menus, lists, groups of choices, text, and many screen-reader reading views.
- Enter: opens the selected item or activates the focused command.
- Space: activates many buttons and checks or clears checkboxes. In a text field, Space types a space.
- Escape: cancels or closes the current menu, list, or dialog without intentionally accepting a change.
Verify before moving on
- Listen for the window, page, or application name so you know where focus is.
- Perform only one numbered step.
- Compare what the screen reader announces with the “What should happen” information in the procedure.
- If the result is wrong, stop. Use the procedure’s recovery directions, Escape to cancel, or Ctrl+Z to undo when that command is supported.
- Continue only after you can identify the result. Save completed work with Ctrl+S whenever the application supports saving.
First complete independent workflow
This rehearsal joins existing procedures into one uninterrupted session without repeating their directions. Follow the linked procedure when a step names it, then return here for the next verification.
Safety check: Confirm the active account, workspace, audience, and privacy level before entering, uploading, sharing, or sending information.
- Open Google Meet Screen Reader Manual and wait until its name, starting screen, or connected-device status is announced.
- Choose a fictional, public, disposable, or instructor-provided practice item. Do not use private client, student, medical, financial, or account-recovery information.
- Open 2.1 Join from a Calendar or Email Link. Read its “What you will learn,” “Before you begin,” keyboard-command, and expected-result information before pressing anything.
- Complete that procedure one numbered action at a time. After each key, stop and identify what changed before continuing.
- State the result aloud or record it in a practice note. If it differs from “What should happen,” use that procedure’s recovery directions before advancing.
- Continue directly to 2.2 Join with a Meeting Code without closing the application or device session. First confirm that focus, account, file, book, conversation, or project context is still correct.
- Complete the second procedure and verify the resulting name, state, location, permission, value, or content. Do not rely only on a success sound.
- Save or synchronize when the product supports it. Wait for the completed state before disconnecting a device, closing a browser, or switching accounts.
- Continue to 3.1 Review Microphone and Camera Before Joining. Use the exact command listed there; if the command varies by model or version, use Keyboard Help, the product’s shortcut list, or the linked official reference instead of guessing.
- Introduce one harmless recoverable error, such as opening the wrong menu or moving focus away. Press Escape once, identify the active window or device area, and return to the correct step.
- Review the finished practice item from its beginning. Confirm its title or filename, structure, content, destination, sharing state, and saved or synchronized status as applicable.
- Close and reopen the item or return to it from the product’s main screen. The workflow is complete only when you can locate it and verify the same result independently.
Success standard: Complete all three linked tasks, explain the commands used, recover from the practice error, and locate the finished result without another person directing the next key.
Google: Use Google Meet with a screen reader
Purpose: This manual teaches Google Meet from the beginning to a person using a screen reader. It explains exactly what to press, what should receive focus, what the screen reader should announce, and how to recover when the result is different.
Reference setup: This manual focuses on Google Meet on a computer in a current Chrome browser, with practical mobile sections.
Feature availability: Some Meet features depend on Google account type, Workspace edition, administrator settings, host controls, meeting size, or rollout status. If a button is missing or disabled, that does not always mean you are using Meet incorrectly.
How to Use This Manual
Work through Parts 1-14 before concentrating on your screen reader. Those sections teach Meet itself.
Use Ctrl+D on Windows/ChromeOS to mute or unmute your microphone.
Use Ctrl+E to turn your camera on or off.
Use Ctrl+Alt+C to open or close meeting chat.
Use Ctrl+Alt+P to open or close the People/participants sidebar.
Use Ctrl+Alt+H to raise or lower your hand.
Use Ctrl+Alt+S to hear who is currently speaking.
Use Ctrl+Alt+I to hear current room/meeting information.
Use Ctrl+Alt+X to hear recently received reactions.
Press Ctrl+/ to open the Meet shortcut dialog.
Press Escape to close a Meet sidebar or dialog when appropriate.
Before presenting your screen, close confidential windows and verify exactly what will be shared.
Part 1 - What Google Meet Is
Google Meet is Google's video-meeting service. A meeting can include audio, video, captions, participants, chat, reactions, hand raising, screen sharing, host controls, and other activities depending on the account and meeting.
Pre-call screen: the page before you enter the meeting.
In-meeting control bar: microphone, camera, captions, hand raise, presentation, More options, and leave controls.
People sidebar: participant list and raised hands.
Chat sidebar: meeting messages.
Activities sidebar: polls, Q&A, breakout rooms, and other features when available.
Host controls sidebar: moderation controls for eligible hosts/co-hosts.
Dialog: temporary window such as Settings, Shortcuts, or Troubleshooting.
Presentation: a shared tab, window, full screen, or supported camera source.
Part 2 - Open Meet and Join a Meeting
2.1 Join from a Calendar or Email Link
What you will learn: Open the correct meeting and reach the pre-call screen.
Before you begin: Have the legitimate meeting invitation available.
Exactly how to do it
Open the meeting invitation.
Move to the Google Meet link.
Read the link or surrounding event information to verify it is the expected meeting.
Press Enter.
Wait for meet.google.com to open.
Confirm you are signed in with the intended Google account if the meeting requires it.
Wait for the pre-call screen before pressing Join.
What should happen: The meeting's pre-call screen opens.
If that does not happen: If the page asks for permission to use microphone/camera, allow only if you intend to use those devices and trust the meeting.
Practice: Open a test meeting link and stop at the pre-call screen.
2.2 Join with a Meeting Code
What you will learn: Enter a code without needing a calendar event.
Before you begin: Know the meeting code or nickname and that you are authorized to join.
Exactly how to do it
Open meet.google.com.
Move to the field for entering a code or link.
Type or paste the meeting code.
Activate Join.
Wait for the pre-call screen.
What should happen: Meet opens the requested meeting.
If that does not happen: If the code is invalid or expired, verify it with the organizer rather than guessing variants.
Practice: Practice entering a known safe meeting code.
Part 3 - The Pre-Call Screen
3.1 Review Microphone and Camera Before Joining
What you will learn: Enter the meeting in the state you intend.
Before you begin: The pre-call screen is open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+D and listen for whether the microphone is muted or unmuted.
Press Ctrl+E and listen for whether the camera is on or off.
Choose the state you want before joining.
Use Tab through the pre-call controls.
Locate Settings if you need to change speaker, microphone, or camera.
Locate Join now or Ask to join.
Review your own displayed account/name if available.
Activate Join now or Ask to join only when ready.
What should happen: You enter with the intended microphone and camera state.
If that does not happen: If the microphone/camera shortcut does not respond, browser permission may be blocked or another application may be using the device.
Practice: Practice reaching Join without activating it.
Good default: When joining a group meeting, entering muted reduces accidental background audio unless the meeting expects immediate speaking.
Part 4 - Learn the In-Meeting Layout
Google's current desktop layout keeps the main call controls in a bottom bar. Meeting details, People, Chat, and Activities are grouped toward the lower-right area; exact control order can vary by account and feature availability.
4.1 Explore Without Activating Controls
What you will learn: Learn where the current Meet controls are.
Before you begin: Join a safe meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Tab once.
Listen to the focused control.
Continue pressing Tab slowly.
Listen for Microphone, Camera, Captions, Hand raise, Present now, More options, and Leave call.
Continue to meeting-details/People/Chat/Activities controls.
Press Shift+Tab to move backward.
Do not press Space or Enter unless you intend to activate a control.
What should happen: You can identify the control bar and side-panel controls.
If that does not happen: If focus enters another browser region, use Shift+Tab/F6 or screen-reader focus navigation to return to the Meet controls.
Practice: Tab through the main controls twice without changing anything.
Leave button safety: Google deliberately separates the Leave call button from microphone/camera controls to reduce accidental hangups, but keyboard users should still listen to the focused button name before pressing Enter.
Part 5 - Microphone and Camera
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Mute/unmute microphone - Windows/ChromeOS | Ctrl+D |
| Camera on/off - Windows/ChromeOS | Ctrl+E |
| Mute/unmute microphone - macOS | Command+D |
| Camera on/off - macOS | Command+E |
5.1 Mute and Unmute
What you will learn: Control whether other participants can hear you.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+D.
Listen for the new microphone state.
Press Ctrl+D again.
Listen for the opposite state.
Leave the microphone in the state you intend.
What should happen: Meet changes the microphone state.
If that does not happen: If the microphone is unavailable, check Meet Settings, browser permission, physical mute switches, and Windows/macOS privacy permissions.
Practice: Mute, unmute, then return to muted.
5.2 Turn Camera On and Off
What you will learn: Control whether your camera video is sent.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+E.
Listen for the camera state.
Press Ctrl+E again.
Leave the camera in your intended state.
What should happen: Meet toggles the camera.
If that does not happen: If the camera cannot start, another app may be using it, permission may be blocked, or the device may be disabled.
Practice: Toggle the camera twice.
Part 6 - Speaker, Microphone, and Camera Settings
6.1 Open Meet Settings
What you will learn: Choose the correct audio/video devices.
Before you begin: You are at the pre-call screen or in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Move to More options.
Press Enter.
Move to Settings.
Press Enter.
Use Tab through the Settings dialog.
Open Audio.
Review the selected microphone and speaker.
Use the device drop-downs to choose the intended devices.
Open Video and review the selected camera.
Press Escape or activate Close when finished.
What should happen: Meet uses the chosen peripheral devices.
If that does not happen: If the expected device is missing, verify it is connected and recognized by the operating system before troubleshooting Meet.
Practice: Open Settings and identify the selected microphone, speaker, and camera.
Echo prevention: Using an external speaker with a different microphone can cause echo. Headphones are often the simplest way to avoid feedback.
Part 7 - Captions
7.1 Turn Captions On or Off
What you will learn: Display live speech captions.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting with spoken audio.
Exactly how to do it
Move to the captions button with Tab or use the current Meet shortcut shown in Ctrl+/.
Activate captions.
Listen for confirmation that captions are on.
Allow speech to continue.
Turn captions off when no longer needed.
What should happen: Live captions appear for supported speech/languages.
If that does not happen: If captions are unavailable, the meeting/account/language may not support the requested feature or captions may be restricted.
Practice: Turn captions on during a safe test meeting.
Important: Live captions are automated and can make mistakes. Do not treat them as an exact transcript for legal, medical, financial, or safety-critical decisions.
Part 8 - People and Participants
8.1 Open the People Sidebar
What you will learn: Review who is in the meeting.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+P on Windows/ChromeOS or Control+Command+P on Mac.
Listen for the People sidebar.
Use your screen reader's item navigation through participants.
Listen for participant name and role when announced.
To find someone, Tab to Search for people.
Type part of the person's name or address.
Press Enter if needed.
Press Ctrl+Alt+P again or Escape to close the sidebar.
What should happen: You can inspect the participant list without leaving the meeting.
If that does not happen: If the shortcut acts like AltGr on Windows, your keyboard layout may not be US English; use the visible People button instead or temporarily use a compatible layout.
Practice: Open People, find one participant, close it.
Raised hands: When participants raise their hands, the People sidebar can include a Raised hands section showing the number and order of raised hands.
Part 9 - Meeting Chat
9.1 Open and Read Chat
What you will learn: Read meeting messages and return to the call.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting where chat is enabled.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+C on Windows/ChromeOS or Control+Command+C on Mac.
Listen for the Chat sidebar.
Focus should move to the Send a message entry field.
Use your screen reader's previous-item navigation to move back through earlier messages and sender names.
Return to the entry field when ready to type.
Press Ctrl+Alt+C again or Escape to close chat.
What should happen: You can read chat without leaving the meeting.
If that does not happen: If chat is unavailable, the host or administrator may have disabled it.
Practice: Open chat, read messages, and close it.
9.2 Send a Chat Message
What you will learn: Send text to meeting participants.
Before you begin: Chat is open and the entry field has focus.
Exactly how to do it
Type the message.
Read the message before sending.
Press Enter to send.
Use previous-item navigation to confirm it appears in chat.
What should happen: The message is posted to the meeting chat.
If that does not happen: Meeting chat can be visible to many participants. Do not post private information unless the chat audience is appropriate.
Practice: Send a harmless practice message.
Part 10 - Raise and Lower Your Hand
10.1 Raise or Lower Your Hand
What you will learn: Signal that you want to speak.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+H on Windows/ChromeOS or Control+Command+H on Mac.
Listen for confirmation that your hand is raised.
Wait to be acknowledged.
Press the same shortcut again to lower your hand when appropriate.
What should happen: Other participants and moderators are notified of your hand state.
If that does not happen: If Hand raise is unavailable, the feature may be restricted or the shortcut may conflict with the Windows keyboard layout.
Practice: Raise and lower your hand once.
Part 11 - Reactions
11.1 Send an Emoji Reaction
What you will learn: Give brief nonverbal feedback.
Before you begin: Reactions are enabled for the meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Move to the Reactions control.
Activate it.
Use Arrow keys/Tab through available emoji.
Press Enter on the intended reaction.
Close the reaction picker if it remains open.
What should happen: The reaction appears to meeting participants.
If that does not happen: If the control is visible but disabled, the host/admin may have turned reactions off.
Practice: Open the reaction picker and cancel without sending.
11.2 Control How Reactions Are Announced
What you will learn: Choose how much reaction feedback your screen reader gives you.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Shift+R.
Listen to the current reaction-announcement option or open the reactions announcement setting.
Choose among available options such as no announcements, sounds, announcements, or announcements with senders.
Return to the meeting.
What should happen: Reaction announcements match your preference.
If that does not happen: If Shift+R does not change the setting in your current version, open More options > Settings > Reactions and adjust it there.
Practice: Review each available reaction-announcement choice.
11.3 Hear Recently Received Reactions
What you will learn: Get reaction information without navigating the reaction UI.
Before you begin: You are using a screen reader.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+Alt+X on Windows/ChromeOS or Control+Command+X on Mac.
Listen for Meet to announce recently received reactions.
What should happen: Meet provides screen-reader-only reaction information.
If that does not happen: If nothing is announced, there may be no recent reactions.
Practice: Use the command after a test participant sends a reaction.
Part 12 - Present Your Screen
12.1 Present a Browser Tab
What you will learn: Share one Chrome tab and optionally its audio.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting and have no confidential content in the tab.
Exactly how to do it
Open the tab you intend to share and prepare it.
Return to Meet.
Move to Present now or use the current Present shortcut listed in Ctrl+/.
Choose A tab.
Move through the list of available tabs.
Select the correct tab.
If you need the tab's audio shared, enable Also share tab audio.
Review the selected tab one more time.
Activate Share.
What should happen: Meeting participants see the selected browser tab.
If that does not happen: If presentation is disabled, the host or administrator may have blocked participant screen sharing.
Practice: Present a harmless tab in a test meeting.
12.2 Present a Window
What you will learn: Share one application window rather than the whole desktop.
Before you begin: Close or hide confidential windows first.
Exactly how to do it
Open Present now.
Choose A window.
Move through available windows.
Select the intended application window.
Activate Share.
What should happen: Only the selected window is presented.
If that does not happen: If you switch to dialogs or windows outside the shared application, participants may not see them, depending on the operating system.
Practice: Share a practice window and stop.
12.3 Present Your Entire Screen
What you will learn: Share everything visible on the selected monitor.
Before you begin: Use only when a tab/window is insufficient.
Exactly how to do it
Close private email, messages, notifications, password managers, and confidential files.
Open Present now.
Choose Your entire screen.
Select the intended monitor/display if more than one is available.
Activate Share.
Keep sensitive notifications disabled while presenting.
What should happen: Participants can see the selected screen and anything you bring onto it.
If that does not happen: Full-screen sharing has the highest privacy risk. Prefer tab/window sharing whenever possible.
Practice: Review the steps without actually sharing confidential content.
Tab audio: Google states that presentation audio requires presenting a browser tab and enabling the tab-audio option.
Part 13 - Stop Presenting and Recover Focus
13.1 Stop Presenting
What you will learn: End screen sharing without leaving the meeting.
Before you begin: A presentation is active.
Exactly how to do it
Return focus to the Meet tab/window.
Move to Stop presenting or the presentation status control.
Activate Stop presenting.
Listen for confirmation that you are no longer presenting.
Press Ctrl+Alt+I if you want Meet to announce current room information.
What should happen: Screen sharing ends but you remain in the meeting.
If that does not happen: If you accidentally leave the Meet tab while presenting, return with Ctrl+Tab/Alt+Tab rather than closing random windows.
Practice: Start and stop a harmless presentation.
13.2 Recover after a Share Dialog
What you will learn: Return to Meet when the browser/system share picker closes.
Before you begin: The share picker was cancelled or completed.
Exactly how to do it
Press Escape if a dialog remains.
Use Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Tab to return to the Meet window/tab.
Press Ctrl+Alt+I to confirm you are still in the meeting.
Use Tab to find the main call controls.
What should happen: You regain predictable Meet focus.
If that does not happen: If Meet is no longer open, check whether the meeting tab was accidentally closed; reopen from History/Calendar if appropriate.
Practice: Practice canceling a share and returning.
Part 14 - Leave a Meeting
14.1 Leave Without Ending the Meeting for Others
What you will learn: Exit your participation intentionally.
Before you begin: You are ready to leave.
Exactly how to do it
Move to the Leave call button.
Listen to the full control name before activating it.
Press Enter.
Wait for the post-call page.
Close the Meet tab if you are finished.
What should happen: You leave the meeting.
If that does not happen: Hosts may also have options to end the call for everyone. Do not choose a host-wide end option unless you intend to end the meeting for all participants.
Practice: Practice locating Leave without activating it.
Part 15 - Meeting Details, Links, and Joining Information
15.1 Open Meeting Details
What you will learn: Find the meeting code and joining information.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Tab to Meeting details.
Press Enter.
Use screen-reader navigation through joining information.
Copy the meeting link only if you are authorized to share it.
Press Escape to close the details sidebar/panel.
What should happen: Meeting joining information is available without leaving the call.
If that does not happen: Do not post meeting links publicly unless the meeting is intended to be public.
Practice: Open and close Meeting details.
Part 16 - Sidebars and Dialogs
Meet allows only one sidebar at a time. Opening another sidebar closes the currently open sidebar. Meet dialogs can appear while a sidebar is open, but only one dialog can be active.
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Shortcut dialog - Windows/ChromeOS | Ctrl+/ |
| Shortcut dialog - macOS | Control+Command+/ |
| Close sidebar/dialog | Escape or Close button |
16.1 Open the Shortcut Dialog
What you will learn: Search current Meet commands instead of relying on memory.
Before you begin: You are in a Meet video meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+/ on Windows/ChromeOS or Control+Command+/ on Mac.
Wait for the shortcut dialog.
Use the focused search field to type part of a command name if desired.
Use screen-reader table navigation to review shortcuts.
Press Escape to close.
What should happen: You can verify current Meet shortcuts.
If that does not happen: If your screen reader needs a different navigation mode to read tables, temporarily switch modes inside the dialog, then restore application/focus mode.
Practice: Look up microphone, captions, and presentation.
Part 17 - Host Controls and Moderation
Hosts and co-hosts can have additional controls, depending on account and meeting type.
Host management can control participant access to chat, screen sharing, reactions, microphone/camera, and other features.
Some buttons may remain visible but disabled when the host or administrator turns a feature off.
Google documents that a meeting can have a host plus additional co-hosts in supported meetings.
Do not remove participants or change moderation settings unless you understand the effect.
17.1 Open Host Controls
What you will learn: Review meeting moderation options.
Before you begin: You are a host/co-host in a meeting that supports host controls.
Exactly how to do it
Move to Host controls.
Press Enter.
Use Tab/Arrow keys through available moderation settings.
Listen to the current state before changing anything.
Press Escape to close.
What should happen: You can inspect current host settings.
If that does not happen: If Host controls is missing, you may not be a host/co-host or the meeting/account may not support that control.
Practice: Open Host controls and review without changing settings.
Part 18 - Picture-in-Picture and Companion Mode
18.1 Picture-in-Picture
Picture-in-picture keeps a small Meet window available while you work in another tab/window.
Google states you can still mute/unmute, turn camera on/off, raise hand, read/send chat, view your presentation, toggle captions, and leave.
You cannot start a new presentation while already in picture-in-picture; start presenting first, then switch.
Use Back to tab to return to the full Meet interface.
18.2 Companion Mode
Companion mode is designed for using a second device or joining mainly for presentation/interaction.
Google notes that choosing Present from the pre-call green room can join you in Companion mode.
In that pre-call presentation workflow, microphone and speaker are unavailable.
Use Companion mode only when you understand which device is providing room audio to avoid echo.
Part 19 - JAWS with Google Meet
Meet is a web application. Use JAWS focus/application behavior for the main Meet controls, then temporarily use the Virtual PC Cursor when you need webpage-style review.
19.1 Use JAWS in the Meeting
What you will learn: Keep Meet shortcuts working while JAWS follows focus.
Before you begin: Meet is open with JAWS.
Exactly how to do it
Press JAWS+Z if needed to turn Virtual PC Cursor off.
Press Ctrl+/ and verify the shortcut dialog opens.
Press Escape.
Use Ctrl+D, Ctrl+E, Ctrl+Alt+P, and Ctrl+Alt+C.
Use Tab through the main call controls.
Turn the Virtual PC Cursor on temporarily only when you need to inspect non-focusable text, then turn it off again.
What should happen: Meet shortcuts work without JAWS web-navigation keys intercepting them.
If that does not happen: If H/K or other JAWS page-navigation keys take over, Virtual PC Cursor is on.
Practice: Open People and Chat, then return to the main call controls.
Part 20 - NVDA with Google Meet
NVDA generally works best in Focus Mode for Meet's direct application controls.
20.1 Use NVDA Focus Mode
What you will learn: Allow Meet to receive its shortcuts.
Before you begin: Meet is open with NVDA.
Exactly how to do it
Press NVDA+Space and confirm Focus Mode.
Press Ctrl+D to test microphone state.
Press Ctrl+Alt+P to open People.
Press Ctrl+Alt+P again to close.
Switch to Browse Mode temporarily only when you need page-style reading that focus navigation cannot reach.
What should happen: Meet receives keyboard commands directly.
If that does not happen: If letter keys perform Browse Mode quick navigation, switch back to Focus Mode.
Practice: Practice opening/closing People and Chat.
Part 21 - Narrator with Google Meet
21.1 Use Narrator with Meet Application Controls
What you will learn: Turn Scan Mode off when Meet needs direct shortcuts.
Before you begin: Meet is open with Narrator.
Exactly how to do it
Press Narrator+Spacebar if needed to turn Scan Mode off.
Use Ctrl+D and Ctrl+E.
Use Ctrl+Alt+P and Ctrl+Alt+C.
Press Ctrl+Alt+S to hear who is speaking.
Turn Scan Mode on temporarily only when normal webpage reading is needed.
What should happen: Narrator follows Meet controls and Meet receives shortcuts.
If that does not happen: If H or other Scan Mode keys navigate page structure, Scan Mode is on.
Practice: Practice direct controls and one screen-reader-only announcement.
Part 22 - VoiceOver with Google Meet
22.1 Use VoiceOver with Meet
What you will learn: Keep Quick Nav from intercepting Meet commands.
Before you begin: Meet is open on Mac with VoiceOver.
Exactly how to do it
Press Left Arrow and Right Arrow together until Quick Nav is off.
Use Command+D and Command+E for microphone/camera.
Use Control+Command+P for People.
Use Control+Command+C for Chat.
Use Control+Command+S to hear who is speaking.
Turn Quick Nav on temporarily only when you need webpage-style reading.
What should happen: Meet receives its keyboard commands while VoiceOver follows focus.
If that does not happen: If VoiceOver navigation intercepts arrow/letter behavior, verify Quick Nav is off.
Practice: Open People and Chat, then return to the main call controls.
Part 23 - Braille Displays
Braille output comes through JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, or VoiceOver. Meet exposes focused controls, participant names, chat fields, dialogs, and other accessibility information to the screen reader.
23.1 Test Braille in Meet
What you will learn: Verify output, input, and routing.
Before you begin: Connect/configure the braille display in your screen reader.
Exactly how to do it
Move through the main Meet controls and confirm button names appear in braille.
Open People and read participant names.
Open Chat.
Type a harmless message using braille input if supported.
Use routing keys in the chat entry field if supported.
Close Chat and return to the call controls.
What should happen: Braille follows Meet focus and supports text entry according to the screen reader.
If that does not happen: If braille works elsewhere but not Meet, first check browser focus and screen-reader application mode.
Practice: Test controls, participant list, chat input, and routing.
Part 24 - iPhone/iPad and Android
24.1 iPhone/iPad with VoiceOver
Swipe right/left to move VoiceOver focus; double-tap to activate.
Tap/double-tap the screen when necessary to reveal meeting controls.
Use More controls when a function is not on the main call bar.
Review microphone, camera, captions, chat, participants, reactions, and leave controls by label.
Be aware that Apple system Reactions can create emoji effects from hand gestures on supported devices; these are separate from Meet's own reactions.
24.2 Android with TalkBack
Swipe right/left to move TalkBack focus; double-tap to activate.
Tap the meeting screen to reveal controls if they are hidden.
On current mobile layouts, some controls such as Hand raise may be under More controls on phones.
Use the Share screen workflow carefully because presenting a phone screen can expose notifications and other apps.
TalkBack should announce button labels and participant/chat content through standard Android accessibility.
Part 25 - Accessibility and Communication Practices
State your name before speaking in meetings where participants may not recognize voices.
Read important visual information aloud when it is not otherwise described.
Do not say only 'as you can see here'; explain the relevant content.
Use captions as support, not as a perfect transcript.
Send accessible documents/links before or during presentations when practical.
When screen sharing, describe changes of focus, selections, and important visual states.
Pause after asking for responses so screen-reader and caption users have time to process.
Use hand raise/chat/reactions when speaking order is difficult to manage.
Part 26 - Security and Privacy
Verify meeting links before joining unexpected calls.
Check your microphone and camera state before entering.
Assume anything visible on a shared screen can be seen by participants.
Prefer sharing a tab or single window over the entire desktop.
Close private notifications, password managers, email, chat, and confidential documents before presenting.
Do not paste passwords, verification codes, health information, or other sensitive content into meeting chat unless that audience and channel are appropriate.
Hosts can restrict features and remove participants; use moderation controls carefully.
Meeting recordings, transcripts, attendance reports, and other premium features can have privacy implications depending on account/meeting settings.
26.1 Verify an Unexpected Meeting Invitation
What you will learn: Reduce the risk of joining a malicious or mistaken meeting.
Before you begin: You received a meeting link you did not expect.
Exactly how to do it
Read the organizer/sender address in the original invitation.
Read the Calendar event title and guest list when available.
Do not immediately follow shortened or unfamiliar links.
Confirm the meeting through a known contact method if needed.
Join only after verifying the organizer and purpose.
What should happen: You decide based on verified information rather than urgency.
If that does not happen: If you cannot verify the meeting, do not join or enable camera/microphone.
Practice: Inspect a safe invitation as though it were unexpected.
Part 27 - Troubleshooting
27.1 Meet Shortcuts Do Not Work
What you will learn: Determine whether the browser, keyboard layout, screen-reader mode, or focus is blocking the command.
Before you begin: Meet is open.
Exactly how to do it
Press Escape to close any open sidebar/dialog.
Return focus to the Meet tab.
JAWS: turn Virtual PC Cursor off.
NVDA: enter Focus Mode.
Narrator: turn Scan Mode off.
VoiceOver: turn Quick Nav off.
Press Ctrl+/ to test the shortcut dialog.
Try Ctrl+D.
What should happen: Meet responds to the shortcut.
If that does not happen: If Ctrl+Alt shortcuts behave like AltGr, use a US English Windows keyboard layout temporarily or use the visible controls instead.
Practice: Memorize the mode-and-layout check.
27.2 Microphone Is On but Nobody Hears You
What you will learn: Check input selection and system permissions.
Before you begin: You are in a meeting.
Exactly how to do it
Press Ctrl+D and confirm you are unmuted.
Open Settings > Audio.
Confirm the intended microphone is selected.
Speak and check whether Meet detects input.
Check the physical microphone mute switch.
Check browser and operating-system microphone permissions.
Close other apps that may be exclusively using the microphone.
What should happen: Meet receives microphone audio.
If that does not happen: If the microphone works in other apps but not Meet, browser/Meet settings are the likely cause.
Practice: Identify the current microphone and test it.
27.3 You Cannot Hear the Meeting
What you will learn: Check output device and volume.
Before you begin: Other participants are speaking.
Exactly how to do it
Open Meet Settings > Audio.
Confirm the intended speaker/output device.
Use the speaker test if available.
Check Windows/macOS volume and mute state.
Check headphones/Bluetooth connection.
Make sure a different audio device did not become the default.
What should happen: Meeting audio plays through the intended device.
If that does not happen: If system audio works but Meet does not, reselect the device in Meet.
Practice: Test the configured speaker.
27.4 Chat or Reactions Are Missing/Disabled
What you will learn: Recognize a feature restriction instead of repeatedly searching.
Before you begin: The expected control is unavailable.
Exactly how to do it
Check whether the control is present but disabled.
Open meeting information/Host controls if you are the host.
Remember that hosts/admins can disable chat, reactions, or screen sharing.
Check account/Workspace feature availability.
Use an alternative communication method if permitted.
What should happen: You identify whether the limitation is host/admin/account-based.
If that does not happen: Do not assume every Meet meeting has the same feature set.
Practice: Inspect feature availability in two different meeting types if possible.
27.5 Presentation Shows the Wrong Content
What you will learn: Stop sharing immediately and restart with the correct source.
Before you begin: You notice the wrong tab/window/screen is shared.
Exactly how to do it
Activate Stop presenting immediately.
Close or hide confidential content.
Open Present now.
Choose the correct tab/window/screen.
Verify the selected source name.
Share again.
What should happen: Only the intended content is visible.
If that does not happen: If confidential information was exposed, follow your organization's incident/privacy procedures if applicable.
Practice: Practice stopping and restarting a safe share.
27.6 You Are Lost in a Sidebar or Dialog
What you will learn: Return to the main call controls.
Before you begin: A Meet panel/dialog has focus.
Exactly how to do it
Press Escape once.
Listen for whether the panel closes.
If needed, press Escape again.
Press Ctrl+Alt+I to confirm meeting information.
Use Tab/Shift+Tab to locate Microphone or another known main control.
What should happen: Focus returns to the meeting UI.
If that does not happen: If Escape closes more than intended, remain calm and use the known shortcuts to reopen the desired panel.
Practice: Open and close People, Chat, and Shortcuts.
Part 28 - Independent Practice Course
Level 1 - Join Safely
☐ Open meeting link.
☐ Review pre-call screen.
☐ Mute/unmute.
☐ Camera on/off.
☐ Locate Join without activating.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 2 - Main Controls
☐ Tab through controls.
☐ Use microphone shortcut.
☐ Use camera shortcut.
☐ Open shortcut dialog.
☐ Close dialog.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 3 - People and Chat
☐ Open People.
☐ Find participant.
☐ Close People.
☐ Open Chat.
☐ Read and send harmless message.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 4 - Participation
☐ Raise hand.
☐ Lower hand.
☐ Open reactions.
☐ Adjust reaction announcements.
☐ Hear recent reactions.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 5 - Screen Reader Information
☐ Hear current speaker.
☐ Hear room information.
☐ Open shortcut dialog.
☐ Explain why Ctrl+Alt shortcuts may fail on non-US Windows layouts.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 6 - Presentation
☐ Share safe tab.
☐ Share tab audio if appropriate.
☐ Stop presenting.
☐ Share safe window.
☐ Stop presenting.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 7 - Settings
☐ Open Audio settings.
☐ Identify microphone.
☐ Identify speaker.
☐ Identify camera.
☐ Close Settings.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 8 - Screen Reader Mode
☐ JAWS Virtual PC Cursor off.
☐ NVDA Focus Mode.
☐ Narrator Scan Mode off.
☐ VoiceOver Quick Nav off.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 9 - Braille
☐ Read main controls.
☐ Read People.
☐ Type chat with braille input if supported.
☐ Use routing in chat field.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Level 10 - Independent Meeting
☐ Join muted.
☐ Verify audio.
☐ Use captions.
☐ Participate by hand/chat.
☐ Present one safe item.
☐ Stop presenting.
☐ Leave meeting intentionally.
Ready to advance: You can complete every checked task without another person telling you which key to press.
Part 29 - Quick Reference Commands
Windows / ChromeOS
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Mute/unmute microphone | Ctrl+D |
| Camera on/off | Ctrl+E |
| Open/close Chat | Ctrl+Alt+C |
| Open/close People | Ctrl+Alt+P |
| Raise/lower hand | Ctrl+Alt+H |
| Announce current speaker | Ctrl+Alt+S |
| Announce room information | Ctrl+Alt+I |
| Announce recent reactions | Ctrl+Alt+X |
| Open shortcut dialog | Ctrl+/ |
| Reaction announcement settings | Shift+R |
| Close sidebar/dialog | Esc |
macOS
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Mute/unmute microphone | Command+D |
| Camera on/off | Command+E |
| Open/close Chat | Control+Command+C |
| Open/close People | Control+Command+P |
| Raise/lower hand | Control+Command+H |
| Announce current speaker | Control+Command+S |
| Announce room information | Control+Command+I |
| Announce recent reactions | Control+Command+X |
| Open shortcut dialog | Control+Command+/ |
| Reaction announcement settings | Shift+R |
| Close sidebar/dialog | Esc |
Screen Reader Mode Reminders
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| JAWS | Virtual PC Cursor off for Meet application controls; on temporarily for page-style review |
| NVDA | Focus Mode for Meet controls; Browse Mode temporarily for page-style review |
| Narrator | Scan Mode off for Meet controls; on temporarily for page-style review |
| VoiceOver | Quick Nav off for Meet controls; on temporarily for page-style review |
Part 30 - Official Google Resources
Use Google Meet with a screen reader
Google Meet keyboard shortcuts
Present during a video meeting
Raise your hand in Google Meet
Learn about the Meet layout for your computer
Learn about features in Google Meet
Use picture-in-picture with Google Meet
Final Independence Checklist
☐ I can open a verified Meet link and reach the pre-call screen.
☐ I can set microphone and camera state before joining.
☐ I can identify the main in-meeting controls.
☐ I can mute/unmute and turn camera on/off by keyboard.
☐ I can choose the correct microphone, speaker, and camera.
☐ I can use captions.
☐ I can open and navigate People.
☐ I can open, read, and send meeting chat.
☐ I can raise/lower my hand.
☐ I can use and control reaction announcements.
☐ I can hear who is speaking, room information, and recent reactions.
☐ I can present a tab, window, or full screen safely.
☐ I can stop presenting and recover focus.
☐ I can locate and use the Leave call button.
☐ I can understand sidebars, dialogs, and Host controls.
☐ I understand Picture-in-Picture and Companion Mode basics.
☐ I can use Meet with JAWS, NVDA, Narrator, or VoiceOver.
☐ I can use a braille display with Meet.
☐ I understand common privacy/security risks.
☐ I can troubleshoot audio, feature availability, keyboard modes, and presentation problems.
Most important habit: Before joining, verify microphone and camera. Before sharing, verify the exact tab/window/screen. During keyboard use, know whether focus is in the main Meet UI, a sidebar, a dialog, or your screen reader's webpage-reading mode.