Language and Accessibility Features

This tool can be located in the Chrome Web Store Extensions. This is a free service used to add multiple languages in Chrome OS settings so you can change the language to your preference. 

To add this extension: 

Step 1 -  Open a Chrome web browser and search Chrome Web Store. 

Step 2 - Click on Chrome Web Store from the search results. 

Step 3 - In the Chrome Web Store search bar on the top left corner, search Google Input Tools and press enter. 

Step 4 - The Google Input Tool will be the first extension that appears in the search results. Click on the extension. 

Step 5 - Click on Add to Chrome to the right of the extension name to download the multi-language feature. 

This extension is also found in the Chrome Web Store and is a free extension used to translate relevant text when visiting a page on Google. This helps you understand phrases or whole texts that may not be in your preferred language. 

To add this extension, follow the steps above to download the Google Input Tool, but replace the search name with Google Translate. 

This feature can also be located in the Chrome Web Store as a free extension to assist you to understand words and phrases that you may not interpret easily.

To add this extension, follow the steps above to download the Google Input Tool, but replace the search name with Google Dictionary.

Chrome OS has the capability to change the language preference on your device. This means websites will show your preferred language as long as the site you are visiting has enabled this function.

How to set up Languages and Inputs on your device: 

Step 1 - Click on the time on the bottom right hand corner bar. 

Step 2 - Click on the cog icon in the top right corner of the selection to open Settings. 

Step 3 - Navigate to the Advanced selection on the left of your Settings window and open the drop down. 

Step 4 - Click on Languages and inputs. This will open a new selection in your Settings window. 

Step 5 - Click on Languages at the top of the list of options. This will open a new selection window in your Settings. 

Step 6 - First you need to update your preferred language. To do this, view the Google Account Language option on the bottom of your selection. Click on Manage Google Account Language which will open a new browser window. 

Step 7 - In your new window, your preferred language will be selected as English. To add a language, click on Add another language below your preferred language. 

Step 8 - Search your preferred language in the Add Language window and click on your preference. Then click on Select on the bottom right to add the language. 

Step 9 - Click on your preferred language in Other Languages to add this language as your preferred language. 

Step 10 - Exit out of the Google Account window by clicking on the cross in the top right of your screen. 

Step 11 - To add your preferred language as a Website Language so your Chrome browser displays your language preference, simply navigate back to your settings window and view Website Languages. 

Step 12 - Click on Add Languages and select your preferred language.

Step 13 - To rank your preference of language, click on the three vertical dots to the right of the languages listed and either Move down or Move to the top. 

For further information, please see Manage Your Devices Language Settings. 

This feature improves visual accessibility by changing the colour of your cursor to red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta or pink making it easier to identify and use efficiently. 

How to adjust your cursor colour: 

Step 1 - Go into settings on your device by either accessing the settings application if you are using a tablet or mobile device or clicking on the bottom right corner of your screen if you are using a computer or laptop. 

Step 2 - Select the Accessibility option from the list of topics and click on the Cursor and Touchpad option from the Accessibility list. 

Step 3 - This will open up a new page, with a few different options to choose from. You can change the size using the slider. The third option, Cursor colour, allows you to select a colour from the drop down selection. 

This feature uses audio functionality to speak text through your device so you can understand and access information that may be difficult to interpret. This function is especially helpful for vision impaired individuals or people with learning disabilities. The background text can now also be shaded out so the text being selected for speech is clearer. 

How to turn on Select-to-speak: 

Step 1 - Go into settings on your device by either accessing the settings application if you are using a tablet or mobile device or clicking on the bottom right corner of your screen if you are using a computer or laptop. 

Step 2 - Select the Accessibility option from the list of topics and click on the Text-to-Speech option from the Accessibility list. 

Step 3 - This will open up a new page, with two different options to choose from. Locate the Select to Speak option and turn it on by clicking the turn on button to the right of the text. 

This accessibility option is similar to Select-to-speak except the whole page is communicated by the audio reader rather than selected text.

How to turn on ChromeVox: 

Step 1 - Go into settings on your device by either accessing the settings application if you are using a tablet or mobile device or clicking on the bottom right corner of your screen if you are using a computer or laptop. 

Step 2 - Select the Accessibility option from the list of topics and click on the Text-to-Speech option from the Accessibility list. 

Step 3 - This will open up a new page, with two different options to choose from. Locate the ChromeVox option and turn it on by clicking the turn on button to the right of the text. 

Another Chrome OS accessibility function is a more detailed PDF export when downloading a page from Chrome. Metadata is downloaded with the PDF which then works in conjunction with screen readers like ChromeVox to explain relevant text and formatting so it is easier for visually impaired people. 

This feature is integrated into the Chrome OS which means this will be automatically completed when downloading PDFs using this operating system. Just turn on your screen reader such as Select-to-speak or ChromeVox.

To enlarge or minimise pages, text, images or video, Chrome OS has relevant keyboard shortcuts that will improve visibility. 

When a tablet is in use, zoom by pinching or pulling two fingers to zoom in and out. When using a keyboard, users can select control + or control - to zoom in or out of a page they may be using. This accessibility feature helps you view content in an easier format.