Video Conferencing Accessibility

The design and implementation of video conferencing platforms to be usable by people with disabilities, including those using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, captions, and other assistive technologies. Key accessibility considerations include clear screen reader feedback for meeting controls (mute, camera, hand raise), keyboard shortcuts for common functions, accessible chat panels, audio descriptions of shared content, and mechanisms to manage cognitive overload from competing audio streams. Research shows that while major platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet support basic functions, many features remain difficult for screen reader users due to complex navigation, lack of shortcuts, and poor feedback design.