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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



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