RE: will get back to you Re: headers attribute debate

There is also the issue where the scope attribute is not adequate for associating headers with data cells.

The first instance that comes to mind is where you have a header which spans several columns. In this case, the scope attribute does not work properly (at least with jaws through 7.0). I have not tested with jaws 8.0 yet. 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: wai-xtech-request@w3.org 
> [mailto:wai-xtech-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Michael S Elledge
> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:35 AM
> To: Al Gilman
> Cc: Laura Carlson; HTML WG; Judy Brewer; Patrick H. Lauke; 
> WAI Interest Group; Michael Cooper; wai-liaison@w3.org; 
> wai-xtech@w3.org
> Subject: Re: will get back to you Re: headers attribute debate
> 
> 
> Are we only talking about table headers? If so, I would be 
> concerned that deprecating headers could cause problems with 
> older screen readers that don't recognize the scope 
> attribute. It would be worthwhile to check with Freedom 
> Scientific and GW Micro to see how far back scope is recognized.
> 
> If we are also talking about content headers, then this would 
> have a significantly negative impact on screen reader users. 
> Not everyone knows about using headers for navigation and 
> scanning, but those who do find them useful. Headers also 
> seem to be the one dependable way to navigate across 
> <shudder> frames, which are still used in some applications.
> 
> Mike Elledge
> 
> Al Gilman writes:
> 
> >
> > At 6:06 PM -0500 27 05 2007, Laura Carlson wrote:
> >>
> >> Advice from WAI and the PFWG on the potential 
> accessibility impact of 
> >> the absence of the headers attribute for HTML 5 would be 
> appreciated.
> >
> > Thank you for this question.
> >
> > Tables have historically been a source of access problems.  We put 
> > some features in HTML4 and there is now enough time past to take a 
> > fresh look.
> >
> > I believe we can get back to you within a week or two.  If HTML WG 
> > needs some other timeline, I would be happy to hear from 
> Dan or Chris 
> > with an requested due date.
> >
> > Al
> >
> >
>  
> 
> 
> Mike Elledge
> Assistant Director
> Usability & Accessibility Center
> Michigan State University
> 517-353-8977
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

Received on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 06:17:17 UTC