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Re: Question about links opening in new tabs/windows

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From: Druckman,Geri
Date: Dec 3, 2013 1:53PM

Hi,

Just to bring this conversation back to topic, and to emphasize what Karl
Groves already mentioned.

Q: Does there need to be some kind of notification for users of assistive
devices
when links open in new tabs/windows, or is this a common enough action that
additional information is not needed?

Yes, there needs to be an advanced notification before opening or sending
off a user to a new tab or window, as specified in success criteria 3.2.2
"On input - Changing the setting of any user interface component does not
automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised
of the behavior before using the component. (Level A)" - This is an
umbrella statement for any form input fields that may generate a change,
commonly seen social media icons/buttons that take you to twitter,
Facebook etc., and just about any link that does not keep you in the same
browser window/tab you're already in.

And Karl pointed out the guidelines at
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG-TECHS/G201.html

Q: If this 'event' needs to be announced, what is the best method?

Best method? That really is up to you. Use additional text in the link
saying "this opens in a new window" (or tab), add a title attribute to the
link, and use it to notify the user, use CSS (as the G201 points out). Use
whatever works best for you, as long as you give the user a heads-up, and
that heads-up is accessible (and doesn't violate any other WCAG success
criteria).


--
Geri Druckman
Web Development Specialist - Accessibility
Department of Internet Services
MD Anderson Cancer Center
T 713-792-6293 | F 713-745-8134






On 12/3/13 12:58 PM, "Greg Gamble" < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

>The reason I open a new tab for an offsite link is pretty simple.
>Consider this: You're on a site with a high level of complexity, you
>click a link to a similar site, but not the original. Now you're on
>someone else's site and if your following an article you could even click
>out to another site. Now ... where is that original page I was on?? Back
>buttons don't work on every site and there may have been some redirects
>in there that you're not aware of, so now you need to open the history
>page to see if you can find that original page.
>
>Easier to open a separate tab and maintain the original site ... and yes
>it's 2013, but not everyone knows how to use a browser beyond clicking a
>link or using a back button.
>
>JMO :-)
>
>
>Greg
>
>
>