- From: David Poehlman <poehlman1@comcast.net>
- Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 17:02:41 -0400
- To: w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
I would like to submit that Although I support the null summary for lay out tables if the null summary actually works as a null rather than putting some sort of flag that the screen reader or other rendering agent will speak/render, Alt and summary are two different things. In a data table which is quite complex, it is often a good idea for usability for a narrative to be provided as part of the table such as in a summary in order to get the big picture of the table. This is more like narative description than alt/replacement for the table since It provides an overview and possibly some instructive information concerning the table and the data in it. A data table is not a graphical element as such but is a structural element or block of structural elements holding textual relationships, while though benefitting vision are not enherent to it since tactually and via use of a screen reader or other device which allows appropriate navigation, the relationships among the data and data sets can be discerned. I propose then that null summary be used for lay out tables as per my comments above, and that summary be used with appropriate content for data tables but that the later might be constrained by the complexity of the structure. In other words on the second point, some times, there is nothing to say beyond the rendering of the table so a null summary would be acceptable. Thanks for allowing me to intrude.
Received on Monday, 9 June 2003 17:30:34 UTC