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Re: question about data table headers

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Jul 8, 2011 10:48AM

Are the shorthand versions of the text already known by your users? In
other words, will sighted users know what they are? If so, then don't
bother providing additional expansion. I see <abbr> and other
approaches often taken to provide additional descriptions and
explanations for screen reader users when they are already well known,
or at least no less known by blind users than anybody else.

If they are not well known, then you'll want to implement something
that is useful for all users. <abbr> has marginal usefulness. Most
screen readers don't read them by default. Many users don't know to
mouse over the text to get the expansion. Users that are using neither
a screen reader nor mouse have no access to the expanded text. Both b
(a text legend in context) and c (a link to a page that contains the
explanation) would likely work if they really are necessary.

Jared Smith
WebAIM.org