Make sure tables make sense:

How do you do this?

• W3C Techniques for using row and column headings in data tables (WCAG Checkpoint 5.1)
• For more complicated tables, W3C Techniques for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers (WCAG Checkpoint 5.2)
• Do not use tables for layout unless the table makes sense when linearized, W3C Techniques for alternatives to tables (WCAG Checkpoint 5.3)
• If a table is used for layout, do not use any structural HTML (W3C definition) for the purpose of visual formatting (WCAG Checkpoint 5.4)
• Provide summaries for tables (WCAG Checkpoint 5.5)
• Provide abbreviations for header labels (WCAG Checkpoint 5.6)

Why? Browsers and assistive technologies rely on structural markup such as headers to customize the presentation of tables to meet a user's needs.

• W3C Web Content Accessibility Checkpoints 5.1-5.6
• WebAIM Tips on accessible table construction

Next Tip: Make all links informative

• Return to Index of Accessibility Tips
• One Page Checklist of 'W3C Quick Tips' for Accessibility

These tips may be applied to any web site or Vista course, and are derived from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative but are not intended to reinterpret them. Web developers are encouraged to access the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 1.0, directly.