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Re: Word documents and tables

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From: Paul.Adam
Date: Oct 27, 2010 1:06PM

To clarify, it's Title_1, Title_2, etc. for making multiple tables in word accessible to JAWS users. In our office accessibility classes I teach this technique since JAWS is the agency standard used by employees needing a screen reader. You can also do a similar technique for Excel tables but it's with defined names instead of bookmarks.

I couldn't find the URL explaining the process so the best place to find it is within the JAWS help under "Tables in Word". I've pasted the info on how to do it below, and below that the link to the Excel process:
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Creating Accessible Tables
You can create accessible tables for JAWS using functionality available in Microsoft Word. This means that even those who do not use JAWS can mark table row and column headings for JAWS users.

To make a table accessible, start Microsoft Word and open the document containing your table(s). If the table has both row and column headings, place the insertion point in a cell where the row and column containing the headings meet. Then, open the Insert menu and choose Bookmark. Type "Title" and press ENTER.

If the table has only row headings, place the insertion point in any cell within the column containing the headings. Then, open the Insert menu and choose Bookmark. Type "RowTitle" and press ENTER.

If the table has only column headings, place the insertion point in any cell within the row containing the headings. Then, open the Insert menu and choose Bookmark. Type "ColumnTitle" and press ENTER.

Tip: Do not place a bookmark in each cell that contains a heading. JAWS recognizes all cells in the marked row or column as a heading.

Microsoft Word does not allow two bookmarks to use the same name. If there is more than one table in your document, add a number or descriptive word to the end of the bookmark text used to indicate headings. For example, "Title_1," "RowTitle_Revenue," or "ColumnTitle_Expenses."
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Creating Accessible Ranges in Microsoft Excel
http://easi.cc/archive/tables1/03_CreatingAccessibleRangesInMicrosoftExcel.htm

Paul Adam
Accessibility Specialist
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
<EMAIL REMOVED>