WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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re[2]: opening new browser windows?

for

From: John Middleton
Date: Nov 6, 2003 3:44PM

Here's an interesting example of what I might think of as an
acceptable target=_blank window from Perkins School for the Blind.

I rather like this technique for such limited function of describing
images (longdesc).

It explicitly states on the page in text that it is a new window and
offers a 'close this window' link to return exactly where the user
left.
This offers both visual and non visual user equal access and more detail.

Click on an image to see an example.
<http://www.perkins.pvt.k12.ma.us/section.php?id=18>;

Regards,
J.Middleton






>*Needing* to open new windows means there is an Information
>Architecture problem, IMO.
>
>
> >> I would argue with the idea that all pop-up windows are bad. There are
> >> many cases when providing content in an external window could be both
> >> useful and beneficial to users. I do agree that in all cases, the
> >> user should be alerted to the fact that the link is opening in a new
> >> window. WebAIM has made the decision with our recent redesign to open
> >> links to content external from our site in a new browser window. We
> >> are doing so with javascript, though the link acts normally if
> >> javascript in turned off. You can see examples of our approach at
> >> http://webaim.org/ The links to the Wave open in a new window.
>
> >> Jared Smith
> >> WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind)
> >> Center for Persons with Disabilities
> >> Utah State University
>
>
>
> >> ***************
> >> On Thursday, November 06, 2003 you sent:
> >> MB> What is the proper way to handle a link that when clicked,
>opens a new
> >> MB> browser window (target=_blank)? Does it need to be addressed for
> >> MB> accessibility and if so, why and how?
>
> >> MB> I have read in the WAI about Checkpoint 10.1 "Until user
>agents allow
> >> users
> >> MB> to turn off spawned windows, do not cause pop-ups or other
>windows to
> >> appear
> >> MB> and do not change the current window without informing the user.
> >> [Priority
> >> MB> 2]".
>
> >> MB> Seems like this only applies to server spawned windows and not user
> >> MB> initiated clicking?
>
> >> MB> TIA,
> >> MB> -mark
>
>
> >> ***************
>
>
> >> ----
> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, suspend, or view list archives,
> >> visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
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