Layout Tables:
Using a table for page layout is a common practice among Web designers. Additional
code is not needed to ensure layout tables are accessible, however you do want to
make sure that if the information displayed in the table is linearized, the
material is still accurate. Following is an example of a table used strictly to
achieve a certain "look" on the Webpage:
Arizona
|  Always |
Bear |
Down! |
In the above example, a visual reader would read: "Arizona Wildcats Always Bear Down!" However, if an individual is using a screen reader they would hear: "Arizona Down Wildcats Bear Always." Thinking in a linear way, the information in the table is read from left to right, top to bottom:
| 1. Arizona | 2. | 3. | 4. Down! |
| 5. Wildcats | 6. Arizona Graphic Logo | 7. Bear | 8. | 9. | 10. Always | 11. | 12. |
An easy way to check your layout tables for reading order is to use the Wave accessibility validation tool. It will display your table with numbers (similar to the above example) to show how the information will be read. Another easy way to check your layout tables is to use the Opera Browser where a user is allowed to turn off tables (File | Preferences | Page Style | User Mode - deselect tables option).
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