Accessibility in Zoho CRM: Not just a feature—a way to empower

Accessibility in Zoho CRM: Not just a feature—a way to empower

For instructions on setting up these controls, please check this help document: Configuring accessibility controls.
Hello everyone,

Today (December 3, 2024), on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we begin our journey towards a CRM that empowers everyone. This first step makes it possible for more users of all abilities to do their best work in Zoho CRM.

But this is only the start.

We need your support and feedback as we work towards a future of inclusive tools, businesses, and communities where no one's excluded. We invite you to watch the video below for a quick overview of our first update:


What is accessibility, and why does it matter in Zoho CRM?

CRM and other business software tools are deeply woven into our work lives, and the experience of using them often drifts out of focus as we navigate through the interfaces, analyze data, and take action. But for users with disabilities, the experience is quite different.

Just as people who use wheelchairs face unique challenges in navigating through physical spaces, users with disabilities often experience business software tools as spaces filled with obstacles. User interfaces are often crowded with visual elements that make navigation difficult. Every click and every form demands attention and effort, and information is often presented in ways that not everyone can easily perceive. And the list of challenges goes on.

When accessibility is not built into business software like Zoho CRM, it unintentionally amplifies barriers instead of empowering users to work without limits.

Accessibility is the removal of these barriers. It helps everyone use products, services, devices, or environments and benefit from them. Even seemingly small changes can make a big difference for many users. For example:
  • Reading tiny text is challenging, especially for those with visual impairments and older individuals. Adjusting font sizes can greatly enhance readability for all.
  • Color is commonly used to indicate important information. For instance, green for enabled switches or red for mandatory fields. Having this information available by other means (text, symbols, and so on) helps users with color vision impairments.
  • Users who can't use a mouse often use keyboards instead. Providing full keyboard access to the CRM and the option to skip sections expands navigation for all users.

Accessibility in Zoho CRM

For the millions of users who rely on Zoho CRM daily—especially those with disabilities—accessibility controls give them the tools they deserve to achieve what they're capable of.

Just as businesses can customize our CRM to meet their specific requirements, individual users can leverage 18 accessibility controls to accommodate their unique needs. They no longer have to deal with a "standard" CRM that only works for users without disabilities. Instead, they can perform all their tasks with ease in a CRM that can be configured to match their unique needs.

Accessibility controls

Our accessibility controls are designed to support users with vision impairments, motor disabilities, and those who could benefit from enhanced interaction options. You can access these via Setup > General > Personal Settings > Accessibility. You can access certain controls using the Accessibility shortcut, located in the toolbar at the bottom. Let's look at each set of controls.

Vision

  • Screen reader support: Users who are blind or have visual impairments rely on screen readers to complete tasks. Zoho CRM now supports popular screen readers by default, allowing for better understanding and navigation. Users can also enhance their experience by enabling standard navigation order and ARIA landmarks.
    A user goes through a list of contacts in the CRM using a screen reader.
  • Zoom support: Users with vision impairment often need to zoom into parts of the interface to perceive details. Zoho CRM now supports browsers' zoom features by default. Users can zoom up to 150% without disrupting the interface's cohesion.
    A user zooms into a record detail page. The CRM's UI does not lose its structure at any point.
  • Adjustable font size and spacing: Text is crucial in CRM interfaces and affects user experience. Preferences for text size vary, with those with low vision preferring larger text and those with higher visual acuity preferring smaller text. Users can easily adjust font size for better readability, eliminating the need to zoom in.
    A user uses the live preview option to increase the font size.

    Similarly, users can adjust spacing to make text easier to read.
    A user uses the live preview option to increase spacing. The text is much more legible now.
  • Magnify text on hover: At times, we may have no trouble with most text elements but face challenges with certain ones. In such cases, users can use this option to zoom-on-demand. Simply press the alt (Windows) or option (Mac) key to enlarge difficult-to-read text elements.
    A user hovers over certain elements to get an enlarged view. This is done in a deal module kanban view.
  • Motion control: Although animations can enhance an interface's appeal, they can also be distracting and uncomfortable for users, especially after extended use. In fact, excessive animations may even induce dizziness and nausea in individuals with vestibular impairments. Accordingly, users now have the option to reduce animations for a distraction-free experience that's easy on the eyes.
    A popup smoothly opens from the bottom toolbar. With the motion control enabled, it appears immediately without the smooth motion.
  • Switch labels: Toggle switches generally use color to indicate their state, such as green to indicate a toggle is enabled. This can be a barrier for users with color vision impairments. With this option enabled, users can quickly determine the state of a switch in Zoho CRM, as shown below:

  • Strikethrough disabled buttons: Disabled buttons are grayed out like toggle switches, but this can be difficult to distinguish for users with color vision impairment. Enabling a strikethrough cue makes it easier for users to identify these buttons, as shown in the example below:
    Disabled buttons have multiple lines running through them from the top-right to the bottom left.
  • Form display mode: Filling out forms can be difficult for users with disabilities, as it can require zooming in, scrolling, and tabbing through fields. To make it easier, users can enable the form display mode, which users can use to shrink a form down to its mandatory fields, fill them out, and then move on to the next task.

  • Mandatory field appearance: To save records, users often have to deal with mandatory fields, which are typically marked with red accent lines. However, this can be problematic for those with color vision challenges. Thankfully, users can now personalize the presentation of mandatory fields, such as by denoting them with an asterisk or a "Required" label.

  • Custom error message display: Forms can pose a challenge for users with color vision impairment, particularly when it comes to error messages. These messages are typically displayed in red, but this may not be visible for those with color blindness. To address this, users can now select a more accessible color and even include an error icon for easier identification.
    Error messages for two fields are displayed with an icon and an accessible color.
  • Flashing screens for notifications: It's easy to miss notifications in Zoho CRM in certain cases. For example, a user with low vision may be working with a zoomed-in view, which may keep the notification signal out of sight. To address this, users can enable this option, which causes the screen to flash twice when they receive a notification.
    The screen flashes in a yellow shade when the user previews the flash screen option.
  • ARIA landmarks: Users without low vision can perceive an interface's structure at a glance and navigate directly to the section they want. This isn't always the case for users accessing Zoho CRM with assistive technology like screen readers. To help them perceive and navigate the interface easily, they can enable ARIA landmarks, which help them understand the page quickly and skip to the sections they need to get their work done.
    User skips to a section in the home page usig ARIA landmarks. The different sections on the home page are clearly marked in boxes with accessible colors and labels.

Motor

  • Keyboard shortcuts: Many users with and without disabilities prefer using their keyboards to navigate around the CRM and take actions. They can create and use keyboard shortcuts for frequently performed actions. This option has already been released and will now be moved under the Accessibility tab.

  • Zia voice assistant: Some users may not be able to use a mouse or a keyboard. An example would be users with severe motor impairments. We now offer our built-in Zia Voice Assistant to assist such users in navigating Zoho CRM and completing their tasks. After you've enabled this option, press Control + Z + V or click the microphone icon in the bottom bar and start telling Zia what to do. Please note that only English language voice commands are supported for now; it isn't yet available in CN, SA, or JP DCs.
    A user speaks to Zia Voice Assistant to open a lead record and click the Edit button within it.

Interaction

  • Reading focus: The CRM interface is often packed with information so as to present an all-in-one view, but this can be overwhelming for users who are easily distracted. Reading focus enables them to block out distractions and focus solely on the area around their cursor.
    A user has enabled reading focus. Most the of screen is masked except a small rectangular box around the cursor. This box moves as the user moves the cursor.
  • Underline links: Links are important for navigating Zoho CRM, but it's crucial to distinguish them from regular text. This is usually done through color, which can be problematic for users with color vision impairment. In such cases, they can have links underlined for easy identification.
    In a list of tasks, the Task name and the contact name are underlined to show that they are links to records. Other elements like status and priority are not underlined to indicate that they are not links.
  • Standard navigation order: For users navigating the CRM with a screen reader and a keyboard, this option ensures that navigation starts from the first DOM element and proceeds in a consistent pattern (from top to bottom, left to right, and without skipping any elements).

Achieving WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance: A major step towards inclusive accessibility
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a globally recognized framework of recommendations designed to enhance web accessibility. With our accessibility controls in place, we're happy to announce that we're compliant with WCAG 2.2. Level AA.
Note: For the following features, full compatibility is currently limited to the home page, custom view, and standard record view for create, edit, clone, and details pages:
  • Screen reader
  • Zoom
  • Custom error message display
  • ARIA Landmark
  • Standard navigation order
For the following features, full compatibility is currently limited to the standard record view of create, edit, clone, and details pages:
  • Form display mode
  • Mandatory field display
We encourage you to do the following:
  • Explore: Familiarize yourself with the new accessibility controls and let us know what works and what doesn't.
  • Share: Inform your teams and peers about these enhancements.
  • Support: Assist others in customizing their settings for the best experience.
Availability
Release plan: Soon, we'll be rolling out accessibility controls in a phased manner for all customers.

[13 Jan 2025] Accessibility controls are now available to all users in all DCs.

Editions: All
DCs: All
To learn more about these controls, please refer this help document: Configuring Accessibility Controls.
Accessibility is a moving target, and we need your help to ensure that we're constantly moving towards it. Please spread the word and share your feedback.

    • Recent Topics

    • How manage to hardware and software contracts.

      So I have been tasked with setting up on crm a way of managing our software and hardware contracts. with a filter switch, so if they are no longer on say a hardware contract but still on a software, we would like the history about the hardware contract

    • Zoho Payments integration

      What are you going to get Zoho Payments integrated with Zoho Forms? It's kind of embarrassing to have several payment options... but not your own, which has been out for quite a while.

    • Its 2022, can our customers log into CRM on their mobiles? Zoho Response: Maybe Later

      I am a long time Zoho CRM user. I have just started using the client portal feature. On the plus side I have found it very fast and very easy (for someone used to the CRM config) to set up a subset of module views that make a potentially extremely useful

    • BIN Locations

      Hi, I’m new to Zoho inventory and unless Im missing something, I cannot find BIN locations anywhere in ‘items’? please tell me it’s there somewhere?!? Thanks

    • Automation Webinar Recording

      Hello developers, As we mentioned in our previous post, we've created the Zoho Finance Developer community to help developers learn, share ideas, and solve various business challenges related to the Zoho Finance apps. As the first step of this initiative,

    • Integrate MS Teams with Zoho CRM for faster collaboration

      Availability Editions: Standard and above DCs: All Release status: This feature has been released for all users in all DCs. Help resource: Microsoft Teams integration Hello everyone, We're adding MS Teams to our lineup of CRM chat integrations—Cliq, Slack,

    • Announcing new features in Trident for Windows (v.1.20.4.0)

      Hello Community, Trident for Windows is here with some new features to elevate your work experience. Let's take a quick look at what's new. Export emails. You can now export emails in the .eml file format as compressed zipped files to create a secure

    • Related list Mobile Device

      Hello, We use an the Zoho creator application to make reports linked to Accounts. On the computer: it's easy to go the Account and see all the created reports in the related list below On iPad/Phone ZOHO CRM APP: we cannot see the reports on those accounts

    • Getting Data into zoho calendar from a creator app

      So how do you get a date that's created in an app, for example when a site visit is due, into the zoho calendar for the field engineers.

    • [Free webinar series] Get to know Deluge: Zoho’s powerful scripting language

      Hello Everyone, We are much elated to invite you all to our upcoming session in Zoho Deluge! Bringing on to your table - Get to know Deluge: Zoho’s powerful scripting language Understanding Deluge Zoho’s suite of applications offers robust solutions for

    • Can I Integrate ADP Payroll with Zoho Books?

      Hi, I am hoping that I can integrate ADP Payroll with Zoho Books so that I do not need to manually input the payroll journal entries. Is this possible? If so, how do I do that?

    • Currency Field Does Not show commas upon entry - leading to inaccurate entries!

      Hello Zoho.. When our sales reps are entering deals and the profit/revenue it is difficult to accurately enter numbers with lots of zeros when there commas are NOT added until the record is saved. Could commas be added to this filed type as it is being

    • Portal orders

      Is it possible to set up an ordering system through the portal so that my customers can place orders through their portal?

    • Simplify Zoho API integration with Deluge’s invokeAPI task

      Hello all! Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, we’re excited to share some of the latest updates to enhance your Deluge experience. While Deluge already offered robust API integration capabilities, we’ve taken it to the next level with the introduction

    • Default account for service invoice

      Hello, My client has some invoices for which he has entered a service description rather than using an item.  Is there a way to set the income account on this invoice, or can that only be done by using an item?

    • Issue with Missing Email on Reply or Forward

      مرحبًا بفريق دعم Zoho، أواجه مشكلة مع Zoho Mail. عند الرد على بريد إلكتروني أو إعادة توجيهه، لا تظهر الرسالة الأصلية أو البريد الإلكتروني المرسل بشكل طبيعي للمستلم. بدلاً من ذلك، يتم عرض رمز ثلاثي النقاط، ويتعين على المستلم النقر فوقه لعرض البريد الإلكتروني

    • Recommendations to store meeting notes for easy access from Contacts, Accounts & Deals module records?

      I would like your advice on how to achieve this use case for my organization. It’s related to where/how best to store meeting notes from a conversation with Contact(s) working at an Account (Company) in the context of a Deal. The ideal solution (from

    • Editing data in Related List tables

      Hi, we have a related list table showing many quotes on our Client record. At present, we have to edit each quote record by entering each record and then going back to the Client record. Is there a way to edit the various fields shown in the related list

    • ssue with Zoho Mail – Original Email Not Displayed Properly in Replies or Forwarded Emails

      Hello Zoho Support Team, I am experiencing an issue with Zoho Mail. When replying to or forwarding an email, the original message or the sent email does not appear normally to the recipient. Instead, a three-dot icon is displayed, and the recipient has

    • Simplify Zoho API integration with Deluge’s invokeAPI task

      Hello all! Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, we’re excited to share some of the latest updates to enhance your Deluge experience. While Deluge already offered robust API integration capabilities, we’ve taken it to the next level with the introduction

    • Free webinar: Simplifying small business paperwork with Bigin and Zoho Sign

      As a Zoho Sign user, you already know the value of digital signatures. But did you know you can improve your document signing and management by integrating with Bigin, the easiest CRM for your business? We're hosting a free webinar on Jan 29, 2025 (Wednesday)

    • Tracking Emails sent through Outlook

      All of our sales team have their Outlook 365 accounts setup with IMAP integration. We're trying to track their email activity that occurs outside the CRM. I can see the email exchanges between the sales people and the clients in the contact module. But

    • How to create Sepa Direct Debit XML file: solution and code

      Even though Books provides a payment integration for Stripe and Gocardless (in Europe) there are customers that want to use the Sepa services of their own bank. Mainly because Stripe and Gocardless are quite expensive. In that case they would need a Sepa

    • CASE Module - email function

      HI there, I dont know if this has been asked or answered before as i couldnt find it on the forums. Issue: when a new case is raised, it goes under case tab and everything is captured. Then how do i send emails to the client who raised case with the details

    • This domain is not allowed to add. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

      I am trying to setup the free version of Zoho Mail. When I tried to add my domain, theselfreunion.com I got the error message that is the subject of this Topic. I've read your other community forum topics, and this is NOT a free domain. So what is the

    • Automate pushing Zoho CRM backups into Zoho WorkDrive

      Through our Zoho One subscription we have both Zoho CRM and Zoho WorkDrive. We have regular backups setup in Zoho CRM. Once the backup is created, we are notified. Since we want to keep these backups for more than 7 days, we manually download them. They

    • Enhanced duplicate check for Leads in CRM

      Hello Everyone, We are excited to announce that you can now check for duplicate entries in leads by comparing them with similar records in the Contacts Module. Previously, when you added a lead, only the converted leads were checked for duplicates. This

    • remove one field

      we want to remove compensation amount field from our offer letter,As we are hiring interns we don't want compensation amount.

    • Context and convenience just got better with Zia's email intelligence

      Dear Customers, We hope you're well! We are in 2024, and email as a tool is only getting more powerful each day. While it enables seamless daily correspondences, we are here with a set of abilities that will enhance your user experience and save several

    • Bounced Emails

      Hello, Is there any chance we could have an alert for bounced emails in Recruit. This functionality is available in Zoho CRM. It would be really useful to be able to see at a glance who's messages have bounced back.

    • Images Added as Attachments to Email

      Hello, I am not sure if I am doing something wrong, but I am new to Zoho CRM.  I just created my first email template that contains about 5 images.  When I test out the email, it includes each of the images as an attachment to the email. Is there a way to remove this functionality/feature so that the images are shown in the email, but are not also included as attachments?   Thanks in advance.   Jo-Ann

    • Formula fields - Request for dynamic recalculation / proper implementation

      Hi Guys, I have a big problem with Zoho formula fields. They don't recalculate each time the record is viewed - only when a record is edited. Formula fields should be updated dynamically each time a record is retrieved. As an example: I have a formula

    • Using LinkedIn to generate contact/company information

      Hi, we are currently in the process of implementing Bigin. One thing we really miss is a functionality that automatically generates contact or company information based on an email address or name/address. Before switching to Bigin, we were using Teamleader,

    • How can I visualize the events of a pipeline records?

      Hi I need a list of events, including the date and address of the event related to the pipeline record. Can I do that? I know that for every pipeline record I can create events associated (Tasks, events, calls). But what I need it is an easy way to get

    • Caso de Uso | Fermax omnicaliza su atención al cliente con Zoho Desk

      “Zoho Desk nos ha permitido gestionar la omni-canalidad. Ahora nuestros clientes puedan comunicarse con nosotros desde cualquier plataforma", José María Vázquez, CTO de Fermax. ¡Hola, Español Zoho Community! Sabéis que nos encanta compartir cómo otros

    • Zoho Creator HTML Snippet - Can't get list to iterate

      Hi! I'm trying to create an HTML Snippet on a page in Zoho Creator and would like to create an HTML table pulled from a list of time entries that I have in a form. I have successfully pulled the collection of time entries, but the code that I have built

    • Issue with Exact Phone Number Match in Zoho CRM Search Record API

      Hello Everyone, I am working on a custom function that works as a REST API. This function receives API calls via a third-party webhook, where the payload data contains various details, including phone numbers, names, dates, etc. A single payload can contain

    • Ticket owner for desk ticket can't be set using Zapier "Create ticket" function.

      I have a step in my zap where I create a ticket in desk, everything works fine apart from setting the Assignee (Ticket owner in desk). When I look at the data sent to the API the assignee variable has no data I can set the assignee (Ticket owner) if I

    • Form to update a CRM contact field

      Hello I need an help as I am going crazy. I need to create a form where there is a dropdown field with the contacts of Zoho crm (if possible filtered on the base of a field) and where other fields will be be automatically fetched with zoho crm data as

    • How to Automatically Populate the Deal ID in the Parent Lead After Creating a New Deal with Blueprint?

      Hello Everyone! 🎉 I wanted to share a solution to a problem that some of you might have encountered. In Zoho CRM, when creating a Deal from a Lead using a Blueprint, data can only flow in one direction—from the Lead (parent) to the Deal (child). But

    • Next Page