Google Groups - Accessibility & Usability Information

The university email group service (formerly known as Wisclist) is using the Google Suite - Google Groups service to support storing and generating email lists and class lists.

Get help

• Contact the DoIT Help Desk for general assistance or to report an accessibility or usability barrier.
• Contact the Google Disability Support Team for answers to questions regarding accessibility features, functionalities, and assistive technology in Google products.

Additional resources

• For more information regarding Google Groups and GSuite see the UW-Madison GSuite Knowledgebase.
• For Google provided support information see: 
  • Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Google Groups
  • Use Google Groups with a screen reader
  • For opportunities to participate in user testing for Google, see Google User Experience Research.

Student accessibility & usability barriers 

The following information is provided to help people with disabilities know what potential barriers may exist with the Google Meets. 

Some keyboard navigation barriers may be difficult for people with vision or motor disabilities

Some functionality is not reachable via keyboard navigation. Some items like those in the left sidebar are unreachable via keyboard. User is able to reach favorites for example but not the linked list items within. Additionally, the focus style, which shows the keyboard navigating user where the navigation has moved to, is a low contrast and difficult or at times impossible to see. Additionally, popups do not constrain keyboard function so users navigate outside of it mistakenly and end up in the content behind it.

Magnification and interface barriers may be difficult for people with low vision

The page does not reflow when the page is magnified which makes it difficult for users who with low vision who need to increase magnification for readability. When magnified, users have to scroll left and right to see the whole content on the page, instead of the content reflowing to fit the screen view. Additionally the banner bar (at the top of the screen) takes up too much of the screen view, blocking main content viewability. Additionally, the screen scrolls up and down when navigating through the popups. 

Some screen reader barriers may be difficult for people with vision disabilities

Content has missing and skipped heading levels which makes it difficult for users with visual disabilities navigating via screen reader or other assistive technologies. Additionally, some hidden elements with no content exist on the page which may cause confusion for those navigating via screen reader or other assistive devices.

Color contrast barriers may be difficult for people with color blindness

Color scheme, links, and buttons within the app have low color contrast and may be difficult for some users to navigate and read if they have low vision or color blindness.