assistive tech and layout tables

I have a question about layout tables--I browsed the archives but didn't
find anything directly applicable, so I'd like to ask for your advice. 

I've been asked to determine if assistive technologies, e.g. screen readers,
can be "directed" by HTML (or something else) to read specific cells in a
layout table in a particular order, rather than linearly. (I think I know
the answer to this, i.e. "no," but I'd like to make sure I'm not overlooking
something.)

On a potentially related note, what do people think about providing
*several* 'skip navigation' links on a page, e.g. one for 'main content,'
one for 'main navigation,' 'local navigation,' etc. If the cells in a layout
table have distinct and "describable" types of content, would this be a
feasible method of giving users the ability to jump to their preferred
content (or table cells, from a developer's perspective)? Is there a reason
why are 'skip nav' links seem to be limited to one per page?

Thank you very much.

mf

Michael Fry
Human Factors Analyst

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Received on Wednesday, 20 February 2002 18:14:13 UTC