Inappropriate Scope Attribute Check

Description

The “Inappropriate Scope Attribute Check” evaluates whether there is any element in data tables that have an invalid value for the scope attribute.

Example outcome

I found that there is 1 case where the scope attribute of a data table is invalid.

Impact

• Visual Impairments: Visually impaired users cannot determine which header applies to which data cell, especially in complex tables.
• Motor Impairments: Navigating tabular data may be confusing or context-less without proper scoping.
• Cognitive Disabilities: Misinterpreting or misunderstanding data relationships due to lack of structure.

Fixes

To address inappropriate scope attributes:

1. Locate the element with an invalid scope attribute.
2. Replace its value by a valid one (e.g., row or col).

Resources

• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criteria 1.3.1
• WCAG 2.2 Techniques: Technique H63: Using the scope attribute to associate header cells with data cells in data tables
• WebAIM: Semantic Structure: Regions, Headings, and Lists