Google Apps
Google Apps is an online suite of 5 applications:
- Gmail — E-mail
- Google Calendar — appointment and resource scheduling
- Google Docs — document, presentation, spreadsheet creation and collaboration
- Google Sites — website building and wikis
- Google Talk — online chat
Accessibility Barriers
- Google Apps hide, display, or otherwise manipulate screen content using a scripting language called "AJAX" that is only supported by certain browsers and screen readers.
- The changing of content in a location disparate from the activating control or action may not be perceived by screen reader users and users with low vision, information tracking impairments, or other learning disabilities.
- Labels for form elements are often reported incorrectly or not at all.
- Keyboard-only navigation is often difficult or impossible.
- Collaboration may be difficult for screen reader users and users with learning disabilities, as information may change or pop-up in a variety of locations.
Best Practices
- Consider the accessibility barriers of the Google App to be used and which types of disabilities may be affected.
- Allow the use of alternative software to accomplish the same tasks being done with Google Apps.
- Consider avoiding the use of Google Apps to provide access to educational material, if Google Apps is the only means of access.
- Consider a change in pedagogy to include small group participation, eliminating the need for an individual with a disability to interact directly with a Google app.
