[Athen] [EXT] Tables accessibility

[Susan Kelmer]

This is the method we use, as well, and I refer to it as a “best practice.”  We move the table caption/identifier to above the table, and sometimes add extra information and call it a “caption” or sometimes “alternate format note.”  Alt-texting a table is not a thing, yet, and even if it was, I agree with Bevi that we shouldn’t put that information in a hidden format that only certain readers can see.  Marking the header row in the table is critical, as well.  And the simpler the table, the better.  I have been known to break tables into smaller tables when the information is REALLY complex and hard to follow.

*Please note:  I am currently working remotely, so can be reached by email, Teams, or by cell at 303-475-7447.*

Susan Kelmer
Alternate Format Production Program Manager
Disability Services
Division of Student Affairs
T 303 735 4836
www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices<http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices>


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From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of chagnon at pubcom.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 8:13 AM
To: 'Access Technology Higher Education Network' <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] [EXT] Tables accessibility

At this time, there isn’t a standard for accessible office documents (Word, GoogleDocs, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).

We have WCAG for HTML/web content, PDF/UA for PDF files, and EPUB for EPUB documents. But nothing designed specifically for office documents.

So what you find on the web are recommendations, and maybe an entity’s requirements (such as from a university or government agency). Generally the recommendations are based on WCAG and PDF/UA.

But there is no thorough, vetted, and official set of standards for office documents, such as an ISO standard.

So in a way, we’re all just making this up as we go along. <grin>

Our guidelines to clients and students regarding Alt-text on tables:
·        Make a better, more simple table so that it doesn’t need to be explained with Alt-text (or summary or caption or something else).
·        If it would be helpful to those with vision deficiencies to have this type of information, then make it available to all users, not just those using screen readers. Alt-text is often hidden from most users, and is voiced only by screen readers, so this is not the best way to convey the information to everyone.
·        Live narrative text is always a better way to provide this info to all users. Tag it Caption or Summary and place it before the table itself to ensure the widest audience can access it. Long ago when I was in academia publishing, this information was a phrase, sentence, or short paragraph that precedes the table, called Prefatory Information. It still is one of the most effective and efficient ways to communicate to all users. And it doesn’t require any addition tools or coding to be useful and accessible.
Just my 2 cents’ worth.
—Bevi
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Bevi Chagnon, founder/CEO  | chagnon at pubcom.com<mailto:chagnon at pubcom.com>
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From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Khaleel Eksheir
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 9:39 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] [EXT] Tables accessibility

Hi Glen and Robert,

Yes, Robert's answer is what I was looking for. The Alt Text option was available in MS Office for tables and I always recommended to use it. But now that its removed, and not an accessibility standard, I learned something new and I will not include it in my recommendations.

Thank you so much for the clarification and the information.
Khaleel

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