diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherState.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherState.java
index baee49f..c0bcaa3 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherState.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/LauncherState.java
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@
     public static final int FLAG_CLOSE_POPUPS = BaseState.getFlag(6);
     public static final int FLAG_OVERVIEW_UI = BaseState.getFlag(7);
 
+    // Flag indicating that hotseat and its contents are not accessible.
+    public static final int FLAG_HOTSEAT_INACCESSIBLE = BaseState.getFlag(8);
+
 
     public static final float NO_OFFSET = 0;
     public static final float NO_SCALE = 1;
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/WorkspaceStateTransitionAnimation.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/WorkspaceStateTransitionAnimation.java
index 84b95ec..bf56ac0 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/WorkspaceStateTransitionAnimation.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/WorkspaceStateTransitionAnimation.java
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherAnimUtils.VIEW_TRANSLATE_Y;
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherAnimUtils.WORKSPACE_SCALE_PROPERTY_FACTORY;
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherState.FLAG_HAS_SYS_UI_SCRIM;
+import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherState.FLAG_HOTSEAT_INACCESSIBLE;
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherState.HINT_STATE;
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherState.HOTSEAT_ICONS;
 import static com.android.launcher3.LauncherState.NORMAL;
@@ -151,6 +152,12 @@
         propertySetter.setViewAlpha(mLauncher.getWorkspace().getPageIndicator(),
                 workspacePageIndicatorAlpha, fadeInterpolator);
 
+        // Update the accessibility flags for hotseat based on launcher state.
+        hotseat.setImportantForAccessibility(
+                state.hasFlag(FLAG_HOTSEAT_INACCESSIBLE)
+                        ? View.IMPORTANT_FOR_ACCESSIBILITY_NO_HIDE_DESCENDANTS
+                        : View.IMPORTANT_FOR_ACCESSIBILITY_AUTO);
+
         Interpolator translationInterpolator =
                 config.getInterpolator(ANIM_WORKSPACE_TRANSLATE, ZOOM_OUT);
         propertySetter.setFloat(mWorkspace, VIEW_TRANSLATE_X,