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Gmail With Screen Readers

by | Nov 18, 2023 | Internet | 0 comments

Overview

Gmail, developed by Google, is one of the most widely used email platforms in the world. It offers a range of features and capabilities to help users manage their email communication effectively. Here’s an overview of Gmail:

User-Friendly Interface:

  • Gmail has a clean and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their emails.
  • It offers customizable themes and layout options to personalize the appearance.

Email Management:

  • Gmail allows users to send and receive emails with attachments such as documents, images, and files.
  • Conversations are grouped together, making it easier to follow email threads.
  • It supports both POP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) for email retrieval.

Spam Filtering:

  • Gmail has robust spam filtering algorithms that automatically detect and move spam emails to the spam folder, keeping the inbox clutter-free.

Search Functionality:

  • Gmail offers a powerful search feature powered by Google’s search technology. Users can quickly find specific emails or conversations using keywords, sender names, dates, and more.

Labels and Categories:

  • Users can organize their emails by applying labels, which are similar to folders. Labels help categorize and sort emails for easy retrieval.
  • Gmail automatically categorizes emails into primary, social, promotions, updates, and forums tabs to help users manage their inbox.

Integration with Google Services:

  • Gmail seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts. Users can access these services directly from their Gmail account.

Chat and Video Calls:

  • Gmail includes a chat feature that allows users to send instant messages to their contacts.
  • Google Meet integration enables users to start video calls directly from Gmail.

Offline Access:

  • Gmail offers an offline mode, allowing users to access and read their emails even when they don’t have an internet connection.

Security and Privacy:

  • Gmail employs strong security measures, including encryption, two-factor authentication, and machine learning-based threat detection.
  • Users can set privacy options, control email forwarding, and enable confidential mode for sensitive messages.

Customization and Settings:

  • Gmail offers a wide range of settings and customization options to tailor the email experience to individual preferences.
  • Users can set up email signatures, vacation responders, and email forwarding.

Mobile Accessibility:

  • Gmail is available as a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices, providing on-the-go access to emails.

Storage Space:

  • Gmail provides a generous amount of free storage space for emails and attachments, and users can purchase additional storage if needed.

Integration with Third-Party Apps:

  • Users can integrate Gmail with various third-party apps and extensions to enhance functionality and productivity.

Multiple Account Support:

  • Users can add and manage multiple email accounts within Gmail, streamlining their email management.

Productivity Features:

  • Gmail includes features like scheduled emails, snooze, and smart replies to help users manage their email efficiently.

Gmail continues to evolve with regular updates and new features to meet the communication needs of individuals and businesses. It has become an essential tool for personal and professional email communication.

 

Opening Gmail

 

Using Browser

  1. Open your browser.
  2. Press Ctrl + L to move to the address bar.
  3. Type mail.google.com.
  4. Press Enter.

 

Using Gmail App on Windows

1.

Press Windows key.

2.

Type “Gmail”.

3.

Press Enter when Gmail app is heard.

If the Gmail app is installed and signed in, Inbox will open automatically.

Signing In to Gmail

  1. After Gmail opens, move to the Email or Phone edit field using Tab.
  2. Type your Gmail address or phone number.
  3. Press Tab until “Next” button is reached and press Enter.
  4. Type your password in the password field.
  5. Press Tab to the “Next” button and press Enter.

After signing in, Gmail Inbox will open.

 

Creating a New Gmail Account

  1. On the sign-in page, press Tab until “Use another account” or “Create account” is reached and press Enter.
  2. Choose:
    • “For my personal use”
    • “For my child”
    • “For work or business”

Usually “For my personal use” is selected.

3.Type:

    • First name
    • Last name

4.Press Tab to move between fields.

  1. Activate the “Next” button.

Entering Basic Information

  1. Type your date of birth.
  2. Select gender using Arrow keys if needed.
  3. Press Tab to Next button and press Enter.

Choosing Gmail Address

  1. Google may suggest addresses or allow you to create your own.
  2. Type the required username.
  3. Press Tab to Next button and press Enter.

Creating Password

  1. Type password in Password field.
  2. Type it again in Confirm Password field.
  3. Activate Next button.

Completing Verification

Google may ask for:

  • Phone number
  • OTP verification
  • Recovery email

Follow the instructions and press Enter on Next or Verify buttons when needed.

After setup is complete, Gmail Inbox will open automatically.

 

Removing a Gmail Account from Browser

  1. Open Gmail.
  2. Press Tab until Account button or profile picture is reached.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Use Arrow keys or Tab to find “Sign out” or “Manage accounts”.
  5. Press Enter.

Removing Saved Account

  1. Choose “Manage accounts on this device”.
  2. Move to the account you want to remove.
  3. Activate “Remove” or “Remove account”.
  4. Confirm removal if asked.

This removes the account from the browser but does not permanently delete the Gmail account.

 

Main Areas in Gmail

Gmail mainly contains:

  • Compose button
  • Inbox and folders
  • Search box
  • Email list
  • Reading area
  • Settings and account buttons

Navigation Keys

  • Tab = Move forward
  • Shift + Tab = Move backward
  • Arrow keys = Move inside lists and menus
  • Enter = Open items
  • Esc = Close menus or dialog boxes

 

Going to Inbox

The list of emails in Gmail behaves like a table.

  1. Press Tab until the email list or mail table is reached.
  2. Use Up and Down Arrow keys to move through emails.
  3. Screen readers usually announce:
    • Sender name
    • Subject
    • Date
    • Whether the email is read or unread

If focus moves away from the email list, use Shift + Tab or screen reader table navigation commands to return to it.

 

Reading Emails

Opening an Email

  1. Use Up or Down Arrow keys to move through the email list.
  2. When the required sender or subject is heard, press Enter.

Reading the Message

After opening the email:

  • Use Down Arrow to read line by line.
  • Use screen reader reading commands to read continuously.
  • Use Tab to move through buttons such as Reply, Forward, or Download Attachment.

 

Replying to Emails

  1. Open the email.
  2. Press Tab until Reply button is reached.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Type the reply.
  5. Tab to Send button and press Enter.

 

Forwarding Emails

  1. Open the email.
  2. Press Tab until More options button is reached.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Use Arrow keys to find “Forward”.
  5. Press Enter.
  6. Enter recipient details and send the email.

 

Moving to Attachments

  1. Open the email.
  2. Press Tab until attachment name or attachment controls are reached.

The screen reader may announce:

  • File name
  • File type
  • Download button

Downloading Attachments

  1. Move to Download button using Tab.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Browser download process will begin.

Opening Attachments

  1. Move to the attachment name using Tab.
  2. Press Enter.

Some files may open in the browser while others may download directly.

 

Returning to Inbox

  • Press Alt + Left Arrow in the browser
    or
  • Use Shift + Tab until Inbox or the mail list is reached.

 

Writing a New Email

Opening Compose Window

  1. Press Tab until “Compose” button is reached.
  2. Press Enter.

Filling the Email

  1. Type recipient address in the “To” field.
  2. Press Tab to move to Subject field.
  3. Press Tab again to move to the message area.
  4. Type your message.

 

Attaching Files While Composing

  1. While in the compose window, press Tab until “Attach files” button is reached.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. File Explorer dialog box will open.
  4. Use Arrow keys and Tab to browse folders and files.
  5. Select the required file.
  6. Press Enter or activate the Open button.

Gmail will upload the file automatically. The screen reader may announce upload progress or attachment added.

 

Sending the Email

  1. Press Tab until Send button is reached.
  2. Press Enter.

 

Searching Emails

  1. Press Tab until Search Mail edit field is reached.
  2. Type search words.
  3. Press Enter.

Examples

  • Sender name
  • Subject words
  • “has attachment”

 

Deleting Emails

  1. Select or open an email.
  2. Press Tab until Delete button is reached.
  3. Press Enter.

Deleted emails move to Trash.

 

Archiving Emails

  1. Select or open an email.
  2. Press Tab until Archive button is reached.
  3. Press Enter.

Archived emails are removed from Inbox but remain in All Mail.

 

Managing Email Status

After selecting or opening an email:

  • Use Tab to reach Mark as Read or Mark as Unread buttons.
  • Use Star button to mark important emails.
  • Use Report Spam button if needed.

Press Enter on the required option.

 

Working with Labels

  1. Open or select an email.
  2. Press Tab until Labels button is reached.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Use Arrow keys to choose labels.
  5. Press Spacebar to select.
  6. Tab to Apply button and press Enter.

 

Managing Gmail Settings

  1. Press Tab until Settings button is reached.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Choose “See all settings”.
  4. Use Tab and Arrow keys to move through settings pages.

 

Refreshing Gmail

  • Ctrl + R = Refresh page

 

Enabling Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts

  1. Open Gmail.
  2. Press Tab until Settings button is reached and press Enter.
  3. Choose “See all settings”.
  4. In the General tab, press Tab until “Keyboard shortcuts” is reached.
  5. Select “Keyboard shortcuts on”.
  6. Press Tab until “Save Changes” button is reached and press Enter.

 

Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts List

Opening Different Sections

  • g then i = Inbox
  • g then s = Starred
  • g then t = Sent Mail
  • g then d = Drafts
  • g then a = All Mail
  • g then c = Contacts

Press the first key and then the second key.

Reading Emails

  • Up Arrow = Previous email
  • Down Arrow = Next email
  • Enter or o = Open email
  • u = Return to Inbox
  • n = Next message in conversation
  • p = Previous message in conversation
  • j = Next email in list
  • k = Previous email in list

 

Composing and Sending

  • c = Compose new email
  • Ctrl + Enter = Send email
  • Esc = Close compose window

 

Replying and Forwarding

  • r = Reply
  • a = Reply all
  • f = Forward

 

Managing Emails

  • # = Delete email
  • e = Archive email
  • ! = Mark as spam
  • s = Star or unstar email
  • Shift + i = Mark as read
  • Shift + u = Mark as unread

 

Selecting Emails

  • x = Select or unselect email
  • * then a = Select all emails

 

Labels and Moving Emails

  • l = Add label
  • v = Move email to folder or label

 

Searching

  • / = Move to Search Mail box

 

Other Useful Shortcuts

  • ? or Shift + ? = Open keyboard shortcut help
  • . = Open More Actions menu
  • z = Undo last action
  • Shift + Esc = Move focus to main window