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From: Karl Groves
Date: Aug 4, 2014 10:01PM

WCAG SC 3.2.2 says: "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."

Change of context specifically includes opening new windows[1]
A user interface component is defined as "a part of the content that is
perceived by users as a single control for a distinct function"[2]

The WCAG documentation for Understanding SC 3.2.2[3]contradicts other
information by saying "Note: This Success Criterion covers changes in
context due to changing the setting of a control. Clicking on links or tabs
in a tab control is activating the control, not changing the setting of
that control."

and yet WCAC Advisory Technique G201 is titled "Giving users advanced
warning when opening a new window", and demonstrates two approaches for
providing this warning on a link.[4]

Similar techniques include H83, SCR24, and G200. In all cases, the
technique discusses the disorientation caused by changing context
unpredictably. However, there are no failure techniques listed for *not*
declaring that a new window is opened.

Questions:
Do you think 3.2.2 includes links?
Do you think the warning(s) must be provided, as is the case in G201?


1 - http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/REC-WCAG20-20081211/#context-changedef
2 -
http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/REC-WCAG20-20081211/#user-interface-componentdef
3 -
http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/consistent-behavior-unpredictable-change.html
4 - http://www.w3.org/TR/2014/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20140408/G201
--

Karl Groves
www.karlgroves.com
@karlgroves
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karlgroves
Phone: +1 410.541.6829

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