By Jennie Delisi, Accessibility Analyst

Ever want the inside scoop on Microsoft Teams accessibility? On October 12, 2022 Microsoft gave a training for State of Minnesota employees. They had the opportunity to learn the latest of what is available in the version of Teams they use – part of the Government Community Cloud (GCC). We collected the questions they asked, the answers we got, and we are sharing them with you!

Many thanks to the subject matter experts that contributed to these responses, including:

• Macauley Kloetzly, Microsoft.
• Kris Schulze, Experience IT Manager.
• Jay Wyant, Chief Information Accessibility Officer.

Microsoft Teams Accessibility Resources

“Is there a link to Microsoft Teams tips?”

Here are some accessibility resources from Microsoft:

• Accessibility tools for Microsoft Teams.
• Accessibility Technology & Tools.
• Accessibility Features.
• Accessibility help and learning.

Giving Presentations

“Is pink the recommended color for an accessible on-screen mouse cursor while presenting?”

“How can you adjust the appearance of the cursor?”

If meeting participants need to follow your mouse pointer during a demonstration, try this tip. Choose a color with good contrast against whatever is behind it. When planning your presentation think about concepts like:

• What is the slide background color (if using PowerPoint)?
• What is the background color for the web pages I am demonstrating?
• Are there times where I have to move between 2 different colored areas, and still need people to be able to track my cursor?

Remember that color is not your only tool:

• Describe where your mouse pointer is as you navigate across the screen. This also helps people who cannot see the screen or don’t see it well.
• Change settings to use the CTRL key to draw attention to the current mouse pointer location as necessary (looks like a target).
• Provide a handout with key screen shots that include indications of specific locations. Participants can review this after the meeting.

Here are Microsoft resources for these mouse settings:

• Make Windows Easier to See – Know Where You’re Pointing section includes instructions for changing the color of your mouse pointer.
• Find Your Mouse Pointer Fast – instructions for enabling a circle to appear around your mouse pointer when you use the CTRL key.

Screen Readers and PowerPoint Live

“Is there a way for a screen reader user to read the content [when the presenter is using PowerPoint Live]?”

PowerPoint Live is a way to enable presentation participants to advance through the slides shared in Teams at their own pace. It also enables participants to use any links you have within your PowerPoint during the meeting. 

Microsoft has instructions to “Use a screen reader to attend a PowerPoint Live session in Microsoft Teams.” This includes instructions for getting the screen reader to read slide contents. 

Using PowerPoint Live during your presentation? Consider sharing the link to this information in your meeting invite.

Use of Background Filters and Your Camera

“If the custom background appears reversed to (you) does it appear correctly to participants?”

Yes. When you load an image into Teams to use as your background it appears in reverse for you. Any text will appear backwards to you. People viewing you during the meeting will see the text in your background image in the correct orientation. Microsoft recently added a way to Turn off “Mirror my video.” The article has instructions on how to use this setting and provides other helpful information.

Cameras, backgrounds, and their use can be both a positive and a negative experience for a variety of needs. Some people find the use of a more uniform background helpful for focusing on the person (as opposed to their background). Some mentioned during the training that the flickering difference between the background image/filter and the person cause them challenges. Other people may find having people’s videos on distracts them from focusing on content. Some ideas:

• Provide opportunities for people to share their needs in a variety of ways. Listen when someone shares that an aspect of cameras being on either helps them or makes it difficult for them. Ask for their suggestions on ways to make the experience better. Work together to find something that works well for all involved.
• Be thoughtful when you select a background image to use. Consider how this may help others in the meeting.
• If you are finding people having their videos on is distracting for you, you have the option to turn them off (just in your view). In your Teams meeting window go to the more actions (3 dots) – select Turn off incoming video. Your camera will stay active for others (if you keep it on).

Transcription

“Why did the transcription stop?”

According to Microsoft the organizers, presenters, and people in the same organization or “tenant” attending the meeting can start or stop the (automated) transcript. If portions of a meeting are being recorded, when the meeting recording stops you may need to restart the transcript. Transcript in a Teams meeting shares information about using the automated transcript feature.

But Wait, There’s More

We got so many great questions during the training! Check out the December edition for the rest. Not yet subscribed? Keep reading!