Re: aria-label usage in table cells

I am with you on comparable access, but who is at fault here -- developer,
browser, business, or spec? Isn't the title attribute supposed to be
exposed to sighted keyboard only users?  Spec says "This attribute offers
advisory information about the element for which it is set."

A case in point, and it may be extended to large data tables where column /
row headers are not visible to all user groups - H65: Using the title
attribute to identify form controls when the label element cannot be used (
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/H65) - Question: can a project team using
standard code claim compliance because the title attribute serves screen
reader and mouse users and possibly other user groups , but not sighted
keyboard only users? Would it be advisable to fail that page even though
the team used standard code (or at least tried)?
-Devarshi


On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 5:18 PM, SALES, TERRY LYNN <
TERRYLYNN.SALES@cbp.dhs.gov> wrote:

> Just remember that any data available only via mouse over is not
> compliant.  There must be a way for mobility challenged keyboard only users
> to access the same information.
>
> Terry Lynn Sales
> Architecture and Engineering
> Section 508 SME
> Cargo Systems Program Directorate/OIT
> U.S. Customs and Border Protection
> Desk - 571-468-5271
> B'Berry - 703-945-2777
>
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sailesh Panchang [mailto:sailesh.panchang@deque.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 5:06 PM
> To: WAI Interest Group
> Subject: Re: aria-label usage in table cells
>
> Devarshi,
> Yes the title might help a mouse user to get to that content if he thinks
> of  mousing over every cell. But a sighted keyboard user will be at a loss.
> If it is important content for all users and not just something to aid VI
> users then the UI needs a serious look. Content should be usable first to
> all then  one should make sure it is accessible too.
> And sure, one can introduce a B or SPAN tag with off-screen content
> programattically just like any other attribute / element.
> Aria-label on static TD content  may not get exposed by SRs.
> Regards,
> Sailesh
>
> On 6/18/14, Devarshi Pant <devarshipant@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Sailesh -- I agree with your suggestion regarding the use of
> > off-screen text, but then business rules often trump accessibility.
> > They could make a case that a mouse user would need to know the
> > associated header cells when they hover on a data cell in a large
> > table. Don't think we can touch and push their minds. Coming back to
> > the use of off-screen text, can it be applied on the fly when working
> with dynamic content?
> > Can aria-label be effective and dynamically updated? Something like:
> > <TD aria-label="Process Step of xyz is RECOMMENDATION REVIEW, D means
> > case is in diary" headers=processStepHdr align=middle>RECOMMENDATION
> > REVIEW <FONT class=pending>D</FONT> </TD> William -- Unfortunately its
> > an intranet site and cannot be accessed from outside. Attaching a
> > screenshot of the table.
> >
> > thanks,
> > Devarshi
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 10:53 AM, Sailesh Panchang <
> > sailesh.panchang@deque.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Devarshi,
> >> Pardon me if I have not fully understood the example. Yet I'll take a
> >> shot.
> >> Consider using  off-screen text with CSS within the TD in place of
> >> the title attributes to provide access to whatever text you want the
> >> screen reader user to get to. This pre-supposes other user groups do
> >> not have problems in getting to the content of the table cell. I also
> >> note the use of a headers attribute with a single value in it ...
> >> intriguing.
> >> Regards,
> >> Sailesh Panchang
> >>
> >>
> >> On 6/17/14, Devarshi Pant <devarshipant@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > Hi Olaf,
> >> > The two title attributes inside the <TD> compliment the static
> >> > text, even though they don't serve the purpose of passing on the
> >> > info to a screen reader. Yes, there is some degree of duplication
> >> > but I believe the intent (by a well-meaning developer) here is to
> >> > tie in the 'process step' with
> >> its
> >> > color indicator, 'case is in diary' etc...
> >> > -devarshi
> >> > On Jun 17, 2014 5:16 PM, "Olaf Drümmer"
> >> > <olaflist@callassoftware.com>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi Devarshi,
> >> >>
> >> >> aren't you simply duplicating information? The value of the title
> >> >> attribute just repeats what is defined by the TD content and the
> >> >> associated TH cell content.
> >> >>
> >> >> Olaf
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> On 17 Jun 2014, at 22:23, Devarshi Pant <devarshipant@gmail.com>
> >> >> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> > I am testing a data table with static text in <TD> followed by a
> >> >> > red
> >> >> color text indicator. For some reason, our developers have used
> >> >> title attributes on <td> in hopes of making the info accessible,
> >> >> not knowing that title attributes will be voiced (at least by JAWS
> >> >> when properly
> >> >> configured)
> >> >> on links, form controls, images, etc., but not on static text.
> >> >> Here is
> >> an
> >> >> example code:
> >> >> > <TD title="Process Step of xxxxxxx is DETERMINATION REVIEW"
> >> >> headers=processStepHdr align=middle>DETERMINATION REVIEW <FONT
> >> >> class=pending title="This case is in Diary.">D</FONT> </TD>
> >> >> > JAWS 13 [IE8] announces "Determination review D"
> >> >> > A few things like the deprecated font tag and an over dependence
> >> >> > on
> >> >> title attributes may be an affront to some, but that's how it is.
> >> >> My question is: can aria-label attribute or any other technique be
> >> >> used to convey an updated value / indicator (case in diary; not in
> >> >> diary,
> >> >> etc.)
> >> >> within a data cell without changing the look and feel?
> >> >> > Thanks,
> >> >> > Devarshi
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>