HTML Table linearizer filter

In the context of WP03, the WAI-DE project implemented a transformation tool, written in Java, that enables a user to transform HTML tables into formats that are more readable by individuals who are blind or who have cognitive impairments.

The deliverable is available online at <http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tablin>, and source code was on the CD-ROM delivered in September 99.

Here's a copy of the Home page for the tool:

HTML Table linearizer filter

HTML Tables, whether used for layout or for real data, can create problems for people reading the Web line-by-line (e.g. columned text read across the page out of order: reading sentences on the same row from different columns as one sentence).

This usually happens when there is a mismatch between the rendering engine parsing the Table and the needs of the presentation engine interacting with the end-user.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a 30% chance of          |    Classes at the University of Nice 
rain this morning, but it         |    will resume on September 3rd. 
should stop before the weekend.   |
------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a 30% chance of Classes at the University of Nice
rain this morning, but it will resume on September 3rd. 
should stop before the weekend.

Tablin is a filter program developed by the WAI Evaluation & Repair (ER) group that can linearize HTML tables and render them accordingly to preferences set by the presentation layer (e.g. the screen reader end-user). It is available in different forms:

• You can download the tablin java source code and run it locally (see the Readme file).
• You can use the online tablin web service (not yet operational).
• You can try the ,tablin "commatool" setup on the w3.org Web server (not yet operational).
• You can download various setup to use the tablin filter on lynx, apache, etc.

Please send comments on the tools and these page to the WAI ER Interest Group mailing list.