Share and Collaborate in Real-Time
with Google Docs and JAWS
Presented by
Elizabeth Whitaker, Manager of User Education & Outreach
Why Google Docs
• Google Docs is a part of Google Workspace.
• Google Workspace is Google’s suite of cloud-hosted tools.
• Google Docs is widely used in schools and in the
workplace for sharing and collaborating.
• Use it to create, edit, and share documents.
• Files are stored in the Cloud.
• Access them via Google Docs or Google Drive.
Confidential and Proprietary 2
Google Workspace and Accessibility
• Google provides several accessibility
settings in their suite of applications.
• Enable Screen Reader and Braille
support to read and navigate the
document.
• Braille Support must be enabled for
all navigation commands to work.
• This is true even if you are not using
refreshable braille.
Confidential and Proprietary 3
Enable Accessibility Settings
• Toggle off JAWS Virtual PC cursor with INSERT+Z
when in the apps for the best navigation
experience.
• Toggle on Screen Reader Support with
CTRL+ALT+Z.
• Toggle on Braille Support with CTRL+ALT+H.
• Locate these settings under Accessibility in the
Tools menu.
• Options include Screen Reader Support, Braille
Support, and Collaborator announcements.
Confidential and Proprietary 4
Enable Accessibility Settings Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 5
Create a New Document
• From Docs, press ALT+F to access the file menu,
then N to create a new document.
• From Drive, press SHIFT+T to create a new
Google document.
Confidential and Proprietary 6
Create a New Document Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 7
Open an Existing Document
• From Docs, press CTRL+O to open
an existing document.
• From Drive, locate the file you want
to open and press ENTER.
Confidential and Proprietary 8
Open an Existing Document Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 9
Share a Document
• Press ALT+F, then S to navigate to
the Share with Others Menu.
• If the document is unnamed, you will
be prompted to name it.
• Use the Share dialog to add
collaborators and set permissions.
• Choices include view, comment, and
edit.
• Send the share request.
• Recipients will receive an email with
a link to access the document.
Confidential and Proprietary 10
Share a Document Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 11
Open a Shared File
• Open the email containing the link to the shared document.
• Activate the link to navigate to Docs and open the document.
• From Drive, navigate to the Shared with Me folder to access a list of
documents shared with you.
• Press ENTER on a document to open it.
Confidential and Proprietary 12
Access Collaboration Details
• Real-time collaboration information will be spoken by JAWS.
• Use Suggesting Mode to propose changes for other collaborators to
review.
• Use Comments to ask questions, include notes, or communicate with
other collaborators.
Confidential and Proprietary 13
Access Collaboration Details Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 14
Access a List of Keyboard Commands
• Press CTRL+SLASH (/) to
access a list of keyboard
commands.
• Use the JAWS layered command
INSERT+SPACEBAR, G to turn
on Quick Keys.
• Press ESC to turn them off.
Confidential and Proprietary 15
Access a List of Keyboard Commands Demo
Confidential and Proprietary 16
