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Tables are powerful tools for organizing information, but they must be formatted properly to ensure accessibility for students using screen readers. Poorly structured tables—especially those with merged cells, missing headers, or inconsistent layout—can create serious barriers to learning. AI tools can help, but only when given the right instructions.
Sample Table:
📌 AI Prompt
📌 AI Prompt
I need your help making a table WCAG 2.1 AA complaint. I have pasted an image of the table I need help with into this chat. The resulting table needs to be accessible for blind students using screen readers. Currently the table is not accessible as it has merged and split cells and no header row. Can you help me make this an accessible table based on WCAG 2.1 AA standards? I need the resulting table formatted for Microsoft Word.
✅ Example Output
✅ Example Output
💡 Tips for Creating Accessible Tables
💡 Tips for Creating Accessible Tables
Use a single row of column headers and label them clearly.
Avoid merging or splitting cells—these break screen reader flow.
Ensure tables have a logical reading order (left to right, top to bottom).
Use the "Header Row" option in Microsoft Word or Google Docs table tools.
Keep tables simple; if a table is complex, include a summary or caption.
🔍 Why Accessible Table Design Matters
🔍 Why Accessible Table Design Matters
Students who use screen readers rely on semantic table structures to understand content. When a table is poorly constructed, they may hear content out of order—or not at all. Proper table formatting improves navigation, clarity, and inclusion in your digital course materials.
For more guidance on accessible tables, see:
🎯 Try This Activity
🎯 Try This Activity
Take a table from your course and paste it into ChatGPT using the prompt above. Review the AI-generated version. Then check for header rows, merged cells, and reading order in Word. Try using a screen reader to test the structure.
🆘 Need Help?
🆘 Need Help?
If you're unsure how to test reading order, or encounter issues, contact Instructional Accessibility Designer Terisa O'Dowd for support:
todowd1@twu.edu
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