WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: how to handle line numbers in legal documents

for

From: ckrugman@sbcglobal.net
Date: Feb 28, 2011 12:00AM


yes, if line numbers appear on a document such as one created using pleading
paper used for all legal complaints the line numbers are part of the
document as such documents are amended or referred to at times line by line
and this formatting must be preserved for those who view the document. This
would also apply to hearing transcripts or depositions that are frequently
summarized in a line by line format that is used for other reference
purposes.
chuck Krugman, M.S.W., Paralegal
1237 P Street
Fresno ca 93721
559-266-9237
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Foliot" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
To: "'WebAIM Discussion List'" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] how to handle line numbers in legal documents


> Langum, Michael J wrote:
>>
>> I have been asked to post a legal transcript. It has line numbers
>> along the left side of that page. These were added using MS Word's
>> "line number" tool, and they were converted to artifacts when the
>> document was converted to PDF.
>>
>> My question is, since the line number artifacts will not be exposed to
>> the screen reader, should this be considered accessible? If not, the
>> only alternative I can think of is to manually re-write the WORD source
>> document as a two column table.
>
> I didn't see a response come through, and I am not a lawyer Michael, but I
> believe that the line number is in fact a requirement of the legal
> transcript (along with line-breaks, etc.). While the reasoning is archaic
> (citation and reference - almost similar to biblical verse), I do believe
> it is a mandate in many instances. I would double check from the source.
>
> FWIW
>
> JF
>