WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Question about links opening in new tabs/windows

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Dec 2, 2013 4:24PM

It is generally considered bad form to force links to open in new
windows, unless it is apparent and useful to the user. This is more of
a usability issue that affects everyone than an accessibility-specific
issue.

Most screen reader's will inform users when a link opens in a new
window, but not until after it has been activated. This is akin to
sighted users not knowing the link behaves this way until the new
window/tab appears.

There is no requirement (that I'm aware of) in WCAG or other
guidelines that such links indicate to the user that they open in a
new window. However, if there is a visual indication (such as an icon
or text), then this information must be made accessible to users that
cannot see the visual indication. The link Karl provided shows some
methods for doing this.

In short, you should avoid such links if possible. If you do implement
them, you must either inform nobody or everybody that the link opens
in a new window.

Jared