WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Scope-Attribute necessary for TH-Element?

for

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Jul 9, 2017 12:53PM

> But I read on w3scholls <https://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_td_scope.asp> that the attribute is not supported in HTML5.

According to the HTML 5 spec scope is not valid on TD elements but it is on TH elements.

FYI W3schools is not affiliated with the W3C.

Technically when scope is not set it defaults to "auto" which sets the header cell to apply to cells in context.

The general rule of thumb is that scope is likely not needed for column header cells in the first row of a table but would be needed in other situations where lack of scope would be ambiguous how the header is scoped. Assistive technology support should generally be good but may need to be checked for the technology stack you are trying to support.

Best Regards,

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
Level Access, inc. (formerly SSB BART Group, inc.)
(703) 637-8957
<EMAIL REMOVED>
Visit us online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Blog
Looking to boost your accessibility knowledge? Check out our free webinars!

The information contained in this transmission may be attorney privileged and/or confidential information intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Wolfgang Berndorfer
Sent: Sunday, July 9, 2017 12:47 PM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List' < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: [WebAIM] Scope-Attribute necessary for TH-Element?

Hi!

Are scope-attributes still considered as necessary for <th>-elements in data tables?

webaim <http://webaim.org/techniques/tables/data#th>; says Yes. But I read on w3scholls <https://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_td_scope.asp> that the attribute is not supported in HTML5.

And: I just tested a simple data table (with no nested headings for columns or rows): Jaws 17 showed no information or navigation problems, when <th> was implemented correctly.

Opinions?

Wolfgang Berndorfer