RE: Accessible tables

by "Ellen Hoffenberg-Serfaty" <serf(at)inter.net.il>

 Date:  Wed, 27 Feb 2002 08:55:57 +0200
 To:  "Gerhard Schoening" <g.sch(at)onlinehome.de>,
<aware-techniques(at)hwg.org>
 In-Reply-To:  onlinehome
  todo: View Thread, Original
Shalom to all:

This is my first post to the list.
I am the technology coordinator for a matriculation preparation program for
blind, visually impaired and dyslexic students at Hebrew University in
Jerusalem.

I just wanted to provide another perspective on orientation information for
tables.

Gerhard said:

> > As a screen reader user, I personally do not want layout tables
> identified
> > as such. It is just extra verbiage.
>
> > The table specific commands available through my screen reader are
> > intentionally not functional in tables with only one row. This
> works very
> > well.
>
> > I do not use summary attributes in the tables I create unless they are:
>
> > 1. data tables
> > 2. complex enough that a summary truly adds value, i.e. makes the table
> > easier to understand.
>
> > I may be blind, but I do not think it is that difficult to figure out.
>
> > However, I recognize that mileage may vary for others.


Ellen:

I have found that experienced screen reader users do not need the additional
descriptive information in tables, especially if they are very familiar with
the language for table data or information.

However, my students and others just learning how to work with screen
readers find that the identification of the type of table, and as much
summary and other information as possible is very helpful to orient them in
processing table information, even if it is a one row table.  This is likely
because they are not as fluent in English or in assistive technology use.
Because this type of orientation information seems so useful to new and
non-native speaker users, I am beginning to provide similar orientation
information for other web page and other documents for formats other than
tables, with some very positive results.

It is important to aim for a more universal design so that less experienced
or language proficient persons who need to access the information in order
to negotiate tables can do so.  I realize that this is annoying or
inconvenient for more proficient users, but I think it is a small price to
pay to provide greater access for the population of users.

Ellen Hoffenberg-Serfaty, JD
Tech Coordinator
Learning Center for the Blind & Dyslexic
Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus
Jerusalem, Israel

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