Data tables

[Daz]

I've read plenty of tutorials on how to create accessible data tables using the headers or scope attribute. I've tested some tables out with my Jaws screen reader and it didn't read the headers as it ran past each row like I expected it to. Question is, do only some screen readers do this or is there a better method?

[redux]

have you got any examples ?

[Daz]

www.boundarycommission.org.uk/statistics.asp
is the one I tested last night

[redux]

hmmm...you could try using <thead></thead> and setting your th's to scope="col", which will save you having to specify header for each subsequent table data cell...

<thead>
<tr>
			<th scope="col"><strong>Constituency</strong></th>
			<th scope="col"><strong>Electorate</strong></th>
			<td scope="col"><strong>% +/-<br>average<br>of 59575</strong></td>

		</tr>
</thead>

[redux]

oh, additionally, no need to use <strong>, just style your th with CSS

[Daz]

I'll give that a go redux but as I understand it the scope and headers method works just the same. I can't help thinking thats its maybe just Jaws ignores this method, other screen readers would benefit.

[Daz]

Check out example 2 on this link, it's exactly the same method I used and it does say how it would render in some screen readers - http://oc.nci.nih.gov/web508/tut-gh.html

I guess I should download a few more and try them out!