Microsoft Teams Accessibility and Usability Information

This document summarizes the accessibility and usability barriers identified in testing the Microsoft Teams application, as well as how to get help.

The Microsoft Teams app is one of the campus-supported chat and web conferencing tools included in the Microsoft Office suite.

Get help

UW–Madison accessibility assistance:
- If you are using Microsoft Teams for general web conferencing purposes, contact the DoIT Help Desk for general assistance.
UW System accessibility assistance:
- Users should contact their campus Help Desk for general assistance or to report an accessibility or usability barrier.

Additional Resources

To turn on closed captions in Microsoft Teams, refer to Use Live Captions in Teams Meetings.
For more accessibility features, visit Accessibility tools for Microsoft Teams.
For Microsoft Teams guides, go to Microsoft 365 - Getting Started with Teams.

Accessibility and usability barriers

The following barriers were identified through testing a select number of pages and tasks in Microsoft Teams. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of the barriers a user may encounter in Teams.

Screen reader barriers

There are a couple instances where the reading order is illogical. Some content with particular navigation requirements (such as using left and right arrow keys) is announced without instructions.

Keyboard navigation barriers

There are a couple instances where the focus order is illogical.

Magnification barriers

At 200% magnification or higher, some elements get cut off in the user account menu, including the Schedule Out of Office link in the Set Status Message submenu.

At 325% magnification or higher, more elements get cut off, including Add Another Account in the user account menu, as well as two buttons in the Chat interface: More Chat Options and View and Add Participants.

Color contrast barriers

In the left sidebar, the purple text indicating the currently selected element has low contrast against the background.

Avoid using virtual backgrounds

Avoid using virtual backgrounds during a web conferencing event, as the effects are visually less accessible to users. Virtual backgrounds can also cause increased CPU workload for the user running the background, which can disrupt their participation in the meeting.