Day 5: Tables

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What are accessible layouts and formats?

An accessible layout or format for your document allows your students to access all the information in the intended order, without risks of confusions. There are three common areas where the layout and format can cause accessibility issues in your courses: tables, slides, and your Brightspace course. Since we are focusing on the syllabus, we will look at tables today, and specifically at tables when they are used as a formatting tool.

Tables as formatting tools

Tables are tools to organize data. Tables are also widely used as formatting tools, which help create pleasing designs but not necessarily accessible designs in documents. Does this mean that you can no longer use tables to format your class schedule or a graphic syllabus? No, you can still use tables as formatting tools, but you may need to make a few adjustments and, in some cases, be prepared to provide a more traditional syllabus to meet accommodations requests. 

Who benefits from accessible Tables?

Everyone, but specifically:

  • Students who are using screen readers
  • Students who are blind or have low vision
  • Students who have learning disabilities
  • Students who have mental health issues
  • And many more students who will have an easier time finding and understanding the information you are presenting

How do you create accessible tables?

  • Give your table a clear title
  • Describe your table in a sentence or two
  • Use clear headings for each column
  • Do not merge cells. If you must merge cells to announce a new unit for example, then repeat the headers after the merged cells.
  • Do not leave cells empty. If you absolutely prefer the look of empty cells, for example when there are no assignments, then write “No assignments” and change the color of the text to the color of the background of your document. A screen reader can read it, but it is invisible to sighted users.
  • Make sure the content of the cell is understandable as a stand alone piece of information. For example, if you have a column for weeks, write “Week 1” instead of “1”, “Week 2” instead of “2”, and so on

Dig deeper into accessible practices for tables

Now it’s your turn to create accessible tables for your courses!

Before tomorrow

  • Review your syllabus for any tables
  • Edit as needed

Throughout the Semester

  • Review your content in Brightspace for any tables and edit as needed
  • Work towards using accessible tables throughout your course
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Accessibility is a journey, not a destination.
There is always more to learn but the goal remains the same: greater ease of access for all.