In Word documents, PDFs, and webpages, accessible tables help ensure that information is understandable and navigable.
Digital accessibility begins with awareness and action across the UMB community. New federal regulations that take effect in April 2027 require public universities, including UMB, to ensure that their websites, course content, digital documents, and online tools are accessible to the public and students with disabilities to access our programs, services, and activities. We will be sharing information and tips in “The Elm Weekly.”
Tables are useful for organizing information, but inaccessible table formatting can create major barriers for screen reader users. Complex layouts, merged cells, and missing headers can make it difficult to understand relationships between rows and columns.
To improve accessibility, use simple table designs with clearly identified header rows and consistent formatting. In Word documents, PDFs, and webpages, accessible tables help ensure information is understandable and navigable for students and the public.
Check tables in your documents and websites for accessibility.