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RE: IMAGE OF TABLE LINKED TO DESCRIPTIVE FILE

for

From: John Foliot - bytown internet
Date: Nov 1, 2002 8:35AM

Laurie,

You are very right... a table as a gif file is extremely inaccessible...why
not use table markup instead?

But...

If that option is not available, then a combination of LONGDESC and perhaps
even a "d link" would deliver what I believe you are suggesting. For an
example of what I mean, along with sample code, see:
www.bytowninternet.com/examples/longdesc.html

Currently, the latest version of JAWs supports the use of LONGDESC as does
IBM Home Page Reader, however older versions of these programs, as well as
other lesser know screen readers may not support this element (which was
introduced in HTML 4.0). For this reason I have also provided the "d link"
mechanism, which provides backwards compatibility. Some members of this
list may object to my "hiding" of the "D", but being a pragmatist I have a
real hard time selling to my clients the concept of a big blue "D" after
every image... At least by hiding it as I have I can provide it to a large
percentage of users who actually NEED such a mechanism; it's the lesser of 2
evils I guess.

Anyway, hope this helps.

JF



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Laurie Davis-Covin [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> Sent: November 1, 2002 9:48 AM
> To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Subject: IMAGE OF TABLE LINKED TO DESCRIPTIVE FILE
>
>
> As I have the time to review items in this forum, I find that some give
> rise to many different thoughts on the issue of accessibility and the
> techniques used to make Web pages accessible.
> I would like to hear your thoughts on the following situation.
>
>
> Someone asked me - if in lieu of inserting a descriptive link
> before their
> simple data table, which is a gif file,
> would it be considered accessible to make the table a link to the
> description of the table. In the alt tag say, for instance,
> "This is an image of a table listing names of members under each of three
> different departments,
> A, B and C; the link leads to a description of this table."
>
> Personally, it appears to me to be a bit contrived - and the table, as a
> gif file, begins its life as being less accessible.
> But, please give me your opinions. I've learned so much from this forum!
>
>
>
> Laurie Davis-Covin, Web Specialist
> SAIC @ National Institute of
> Standards and Technology
> 100 Bureau Drive
> Admin. Building, Room E 220
> Gaithersburg, MD 20899
> Ph: 301-975-8027
>
>
>
>
>
> ----
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