2.12 Table data not programmatically associated to column headers (H)

Patient table highlighted on the Monitoring Patient Information table

FIGURE 2.24: Patient table highlighted on the Monitoring Patient Information table

Programmes table highlighted on the Manage Programmes page

FIGURE 2.25: Programmes table highlighted on the Manage Programmes page

Suspended Programmes table highlighted on the Manage Programmes page

FIGURE 2.26: Suspended Programmes table highlighted on the Manage Programmes page

Action History table highlighted on the Patient Settings page

FIGURE 2.27: Action History table highlighted on the Patient Settings page

Incomplete Enrolment table on the Enrolment page

FIGURE 2.28: Incomplete Enrolment table on the Enrolment page

Validated treatment programme table highlighted on the Programmes page

FIGURE 2.29: Validated treatment programme table highlighted on the Programmes page

2.12.1 WCAG 1.3.1 (A) - Desktop

On multiple pages throughout the website, data is presented to users in the form of tables, however this table data is not programmatically associated with the column headers.

For sighted users, tables are an efficient way of presenting information in a grouped and structured manner. For blind and low vision users, this visual mapping is not available, so the table data needs to be programmatically associated with the column headers.

People using screen readers can have the row and column headers read aloud as they navigate through the table. Screen readers speak one cell at a time and reference the associated header cells, so the reader doesn’t lose context.

However, the different data tables on multiple different pages (such as the tables on the Monitoring Patient Information, Manage Programmes, Patient Settings, Enrolment, and Programmes page) all fail to provide this much needed context to screen reader users. The rows of the table are merely read out; screen reader users are not informed what column that data is associated with.

This poses significant challenges for screen reader users; navigating the table would be confusing and time-consuming at best and impossible at worst.

2.12.2 Recommendation

Table data cells must be associated with their corresponding header cells.

Using <th scope="col"> and <th scope="row"> is recommended.

2.12.4 Spot check: December 2022

This issue is unresolved. Please refer to the recommendation above to fix the issue.