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From: Wyant, Jay (MNIT)
Date: Mon, Feb 22 2016 6:55AM
Subject: Use of alt text in document tables
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We're about to create a training program on how to make accessible electronic documents. The focus will be on MS Word, though the principles can apply to any document application such as Google Docs. Here's the question:

Is there any particular reason for adding alt text to data tables? This assumes you've identified header rows and other basic formatting. If you have a lot of tables, you may include captions and/or bookmarks to identify each table.

MS Word's accessibility test throws an error if you don't add alt text, but I don't want to make people do things just because Word says so.

Thanks.

Jay
Jay Wyant |  Chief Information Accessibility Officer
MN.IT Services, Central
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Information Technology for Minnesota Government | mn.gov/mnit
Learn: http://mn.gov/mnit/programs/accessibility/

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Mon, Feb 22 2016 7:25AM
Subject: Re: Use of alt text in document tables
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> Is there any particular reason for adding alt text to data tables? This assumes you've identified header rows and other basic formatting. If you have a lot of tables, you may include captions and/or bookmarks to identify each table.

My thoughts are that this would be akin to the summary attribute -- which is not required and only advised when the structure of the table might otherwise be difficult to understand when using a screen reader.
https://www.w3.org/TR/2015/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20150226/H73

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
SSB BART Group
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From: Jim Allan
Date: Mon, Feb 22 2016 11:05AM
Subject: Re: Use of alt text in document tables
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 8:25 AM, Jonathan Avila < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
wrote:

> > Is there any particular reason for adding alt text to data tables? This
> assumes you've identified header rows and other basic formatting. If you
> have a lot of tables, you may include captions and/or bookmarks to identify
> each table.
>
> My thoughts are that this would be akin to the summary attribute -- which
> is not required and only advised when the structure of the table might
> otherwise be difficult to understand when using a screen reader.
> https://www.w3.org/TR/2015/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20150226/H73
>
> Jonathan
>
> ​I agree with Jonathan that it might be useful as a summary, but only if
assistive technology can make use of the information. see below​


>
>
>

From: L Snider
Date: Mon, Feb 22 2016 11:13AM
Subject: Re: Use of alt text in document tables
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I am really glad you brought up this topic. I had the exact same issue with
the table alts in training material I was preparing a few months back.

When I do training, I tell people hey here is a cool checker...but then it
becomes tough because I have to say, well ignore this and ignore that...In
the end, I make alts for tables, because it is less confusing for people I
train. I wish there was a way to turn certain flags off in Word, that would
help a lot.

Cheers

Lisa


On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 12:05 PM, Jim Allan < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

>
> ​
> Found this interesting.
> Did some testing with Jaws and NVDA. created a file with a table. Inserted
> a Caption for the table, also opened table properties added Title and
> Description on the Alt Text Tab. Neither screen reader read the Caption, or
> Title, or Description when navigating into the table.
> I agree with Jonathan that it might be useful as a summary, but only if
> assistive technology can make use of the information.
> If someone knows how to get Jaws or NVDA to read the alt or title on a
> table in Word automatically, I would like to know.
>
> Also tested with a document that had many tables. The checker only flagged
> one of thirty tables. The flagged table didn't look any different from
> other tables in the document. When I inserted a new table it was
> immediately flagged as needing alt text. I converted to text a table that
> was not originally flagged by the checker. When I converted it back to a
> table, it was immediately flagged as needing an alt.
>
> Not very useful feature. Creates a mess for training. Do something about
> these errors, but ignore this other error because it is make work, and if
> you do make the checker happy the end user derives no benefit.
>
> Jim
>
>