Verify that layout tables make sense when linearized (Technique 5.3.1)

In Len's comments from the 23rd of January [1]  about the 21 December draft 
[2] he asked that the WCAG definition for a linearized table be included in 
checkpoint 5.3.  There was some other clean-up to do as well.

I propose:
<blockquote>
Checkpoint 5.3 - Do not use tables for layout unless the table makes sense 
when linearized
Technique 5.3.1 [priority 2] Verify that  layout tables make sense when 
linearized

Discussion Status:
under discussion

Evaluation:
A TABLE element will trigger this evaluation.
This technique applies only to tables used for layout purposes, not to data 
tables.

Example of a message to be displayed:
Tables used for layout should make sense when linearized.
When a table is 'linearized,' the cells are read in the order in which they 
appear in the HTML source.

Repair Technique:
Linearize the table and ask the author to verify that the result is 
understandable.

Test Files and Discussion Files:
Link to test file for this technique.
</blockquote>

[1] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-er-ig/2000Jan/0059.html
[2] http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/IG/ert/ert-19991221.html


--
wendy a chisholm
world wide web consortium
web accessibility initiative
madison, wi usa
tel: +1 608 663 6346
/--

Received on Friday, 18 February 2000 17:27:21 UTC