Which Microsoft Teams accessibility features support learners with visual or reading difficulties?

Microsoft Teams for Education supports several built-in accessibility features that are useful for learners with visual impairments or reading difficulties, including dyslexia.

Most useful built-in Teams features

1. Immersive Reader In Teams, Immersive Reader helps make text easier to understand. Key capabilities include:
   • reading content aloud
   • changing text size and background color
   • breaking words into syllables
   • increasing spacing between letters
   • highlighting one or more lines of text
   • highlighting parts of speech
   These features are especially relevant for learners with dyslexia, dysgraphia, low vision, or other reading challenges.
2. Live captions in Teams meetings Live captions convert class discussion into text in real time and can help learners follow spoken instruction more easily.
3. Screen reader support Teams supports screen-reader-based participation. Microsoft also provides specific keyboard steps for joining meetings with a screen reader.
4. Flexible chat and text-based participation Chat can support learners who benefit from reading at their own pace or using accessibility tools on text content.

How educators can use these features in lessons, meetings, and assignments

• During lessons and meetings
  • Turn on live captions in a meeting: select More actions > Turn on live captions.
  • Encourage use of chat for peer collaboration and class participation.
  • Build in time for learners using assistive technology to get set up before the lesson starts.
  • Use consistent agendas, timing, and check-ins to reduce cognitive load and support accessibility.
• For reading and class materials
  • Provide materials that learners can access with Immersive Reader.
  • Store materials consistently in Teams channels and use clear naming conventions so learners can find content easily.
• For assignments and reading practice
  • Reading Progress in Teams helps students practice reading fluency by reading a passage aloud while recording video and audio, then submitting the recording.
  • Educators can track progress over time in Insights.

Do learners need to configure settings on their own devices?

In some cases, yes. Microsoft guidance recommends allowing time for learners to set up assistive technology and device accessibility tools. Examples mentioned include:

• Immersive Reader for reading materials
• Ease of Access Center to personalize the computer
• Narrator as a screen reading tool
• external assistive technology such as a Braille display or switches

This means some support is built directly into Teams, while some learners may also benefit from configuring device-level accessibility features.

Official guides and classroom examples

Microsoft provides official guidance and examples covering both product features and classroom practice:

• Teams accessibility guidance for inclusive class meetings, including screen reader steps and live captions
• Microsoft 365 Education accessibility guidance with classroom recommendations such as consistent organization, captions, and assistive technology setup time
• Reading Coach and Immersive Reader feature guidance
• Learning Tools and Reading Progress guidance for reading support in Teams

Practical recommendations for educators

1. Use Immersive Reader whenever students are working with text-heavy content.
2. Turn on or encourage live captions during class meetings.
3. Organize materials in a consistent location in Teams and use consistent naming.
4. Give learners a few minutes to prepare assistive technology before lessons.
5. Offer multiple ways to participate: chat, captions, spoken discussion, and reading tools.
6. Use Reading Progress for structured fluency practice and progress tracking.
7. Check in regularly during meetings and allow extra processing time.

• Reading Coach features for Accessible Reading
• Create an inclusive classroom with Microsoft accessibility tools
• Create an inclusive classroom with Microsoft accessibility tools
• Accessibility guide for Microsoft Teams Admins
• Create an inclusive classroom with Microsoft accessibility tools
• Tips for an inclusive class meeting
• Learning Tools