WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Opens In New Window

for

From: Joe Chidzik
Date: Jul 12, 2018 9:21AM


I like using icons for new window links. Wikipedia does something similar (they icons to highlight links that lead externally vs elsewhere within Wikipedia I believe).

One consideration is choosing an icon that is visually intuitive; screenreader users have the behaviour explained to them. Sighted users must interpret the icon, although most of the ones I've seen used are fairly clear. If in doubt, you could always provide a custom CSS tooltip that works for both keyboard and mouse users that displays the text "Opens in a new window". Alternatively, have a key somewhere on the page (preferable before any links that make use of the icon) to describe the icon meaning.

Cheers
Joe

>