The following sections feature common barriers to accessing digital content and suggestions to mitigate them while using Zoom.

Most of the suggestions require opening the Settings menu in Zoom. Also the desktop version of Zoom offers more accessibility options than the mobile version.

Open Zoom Settings on a Computer

  1. Open the Zoom app.
  2. Click the Profile icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Find Settings near the bottom of the menu and click it.
  4. General is the first item in the Settings menu and Accessibility is the last.

Open Zoom Settings in the Mobile App

  1. Tap the Zoom app to open it and tap More.
  2. Scroll down to Settings in the middle of the page.
  3. General and Accessibility are both at the bottom of the Settings menu.

  • Blind, Low Vision, and Light Sensitivity

    Below are suggestions for adjusting the settings on your Zoom account to make it easier to see and use.

    Edit Theme Settings

    1. Open the Zoom desktop app.
    2. Click the Profile icon in the upper right corner.
    3. Click Settings. (near the bottom of list)
    4. In the General settings menu, scroll down to Theme and select Light, Dark, or System Setting.
    Screenshot of Zoom settings with red boxes around General and Theme. The theme options are Light, Dark, and Use system setting.

    Change Closed Caption Size

    1. After opening the Settings in Zoom, click Accessibility.
    2. Find Closed Caption and click the blue circle.
      • Drag it to the right to make the text bigger.
      • Drag it to the left to make the text smaller.
    3. Review the text in the preview box to ensure it is your desired size.

         

    Dim Screen Share Video

    This feature automatically dims video when flashing images or visual patterns are detected.

    1. After opening the Settings in Zoom, click Accessibility. 
    2. Find Dim Screen Share Video and click the box.

           

    Change Chat Display Size

    1. After opening the Settings in Zoom, click Accessibility.
    2. Find Chat Display Size (Ctrl+/-).
    3. Click the box and select the desired size.
      • Options range from 80% - 200%

        

    Edit Screen Reader Alerts

    1. After opening the Settings in Zoom, click Accessibility.
    2. Find Screen Reader Alerts at the bottom of the page. 
    3. Scroll through the options and check the box in the Enable column to turn on that feature. Uncheck the box to turn it off.

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    Zoom works with Bluetooth devices, such as headphones, speakers, and hearing aids.

       

    Turn on Closed Captions

    1. During the meeting, click the Show Captions button in the Zoom toolbar. The app may ask which language that captions should be in.
    2. If you don't see a Show Captions button, make the window full sized or click More then click Captions, then Show Captions.
    A screenshot of part of the Zoom toolbar with a red box around Show Captions.

         

    Screenshot of the Zoom toolbar with a red box around More and a red box around Captions in the menu.

         

    Turn off Closed Captions

    1. In the Zoom toolbar click Hide Captions.
    2. If you don't see a Hide Captions button, make the window full sized or click More then click Captions, then Hide Captions.
    A screenshot of part of the Zoom toolbar with a red box around Hide Captions.

        

    Change Closed Caption Size

    1. After opening the Settings in Zoom, click Accessibility.
    2. Find Closed Caption and click the blue circle.
      • Drag it to the right to make the text bigger.
      • Drag it to the left to make the text smaller.
    3. Review the text in the preview box to ensure it is your desired size.

  • Nonverbal Communication Options

    Zoom Meetings

    • Chat 
    • Reactions/Emojis
    • Whiteboards
    • Turn on video for visual communication methods, such as sign language or an AAC device

        

    Collaboration Tools

    • Team Chat
    • Whiteboards

  • Learning and Cognitive Processing

    Learning and Cognitive Processing Support

    • Zoom has a very simple layout with simple wording

        

    Attention

    • You can modify your settings in Zoom to be less distracting

              

    Memory

    • Record meetings
    • Refer back to chat
    • Download reports

         

    Access Zoom Reports

    1. Go to wpi.zoom.us on a web browser and sign in.
    2. Click Analytics & Reports.
    3. Click Usage Reports, then click Usage.
      • Note, Zoom will only keep reports for a month.

  • Mobility Disability

    Fine Motor Skills and Manual Dexterity

    • Zoom requires the ability to use a mouse and keyboard.
    • Contact its@wpi.edu if you need a specific mouse or keyboard.

         

    Activate Emojis Based on Hand Gesture Recognition

    1. Once you are in Zoom's Settings, go to General, and scroll to the bottom.
    2. Click the box before Activate the following emojis based on hand gesture recognition.
    Screenshot of Zoom settings with a red box around Activate the following emojis based on hand gesture recognition.

         

    Sensation/Perception

    • Chronic pain
      • Would need a keyboard, mouse, and headset that don’t contribute to chronic pain

          

    • Repetitive motions 
      • Depends on the volume of Zoom traffic.
      • An ergonomic mouse and keyboard might help.  

         

    Vestibular Sensitivity

    • Zoom does not have scrolling or fast movements that would aggravate this.
    • Turn on Dim Screen Share Video. Directions are in the Vision Impairment and Light Sensitivity section.