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Re: Links opening in new windows

for

From: Karl Groves
Date: Aug 5, 2014 6:00AM


For anyone interested in this topic, it has been well discussed over at
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2014JulSep/thread.html#msg14

Thanks to Steve Faulkner for pointing it out


On Tue, Aug 5, 2014 at 12:01 AM, Karl Groves < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> 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
>
> Modern Web Toolsets and Accessibility
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uq6Db47-Ks
>
> www.tenon.io
>
>
>


--

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

Modern Web Toolsets and Accessibility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uq6Db47-Ks

www.tenon.io