Lesson 2.5: Tables

Information presented in tabular format requires special attention to ensure the content is accessible. The structure and formatting of tables are often visually implied. For tables to be accessible, they must have specific structural features so that no visual implications are required to understand the information.

Creating Accessible Tables

Watch the following video to learn how to create accessible tables.

Google Doc: Creating Accessible Tables Video Transcript

Aspects of accessible tables include:

  • Tables have a designated header row and title
  • Tab order of table cells follows reading order
  • Table cells are not split or merged
  • Color is not the only indication of meaning
  • Images of tables are not used, but real tables are used instead

Accessible tables represent a substantial benefit for students who rely on document structure to absorb information. The good news is that creating accessible tables is not a time-consuming task; just implementing the considerations mentioned above will ensure that all of your students have access to the content presented in your tables.

Additional Resources

To continue, select the Lesson 2: Part 6 button below.

Lesson 2.4
Lesson 2.6