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Re: complex table question

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From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Oct 26, 2012 8:12PM


Hi Angela
I'd say, absolutely, you need to. The table seems complex, especially
since the columns themselves contain large amounts of text (one could
certainly argue that the material would be more clearly stated as a
series of tables with headings corresponding to each of the plan
options, but of course we often do not have the freedom to make
optimal choices for how to communicate page content). As it is, I am
wondering why the table does not simply have 4 columns from the start,
TRS plan contributions Employer, and TRS Contributions Employee
(instead of employee I would even use the word "you" to distinguish it
more clearly from "employer", that is one suggestion I would actually
make for an actual change). Using table reading commands I'd very
quickly get lost in the table without the ID and Header tags causing
row and column title being read for each cell in the table, especially
since there are empty cells in it. If you skipped them the table would
become awfully confusing, unfortunately. Probably not the answer you
wanted to hear, but from a screen reader user perspective that is the
truth I must present. ;)
Cheers
-B

On 10/26/12, Angela French < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> Hello,
> On the page linked to here:
> http://sbctc.edu/college/_hr-benefits-connection-SBRP-TRS3NEW.aspx I have a
> complex table I have presented. I'm wondering, since there is only one
> column that splits into two (the TRS 3-hybrid plan column), is it necessary
> for me to use the id and headers attribute?
>
> Thank you
>
>
>
> Angela French
> Internet Specialist
> State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
> 360-704-4316
> <EMAIL REMOVED>
> http://www.checkoutacollege.com/
>
> > > >