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From: Vetter, Jackie
Date: Tue, Feb 19 2013 12:50PM
Subject: Opening Links in New vs. Same Window in Online Courses
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I understand that recommended best practice in online web accessibility is to make all links open in the same window so using the Back button will return to the previous screen. Because my team is in the business of online course design, it is not possible for us to open many (and, often, most) of our links in the same window. Much of the material we link to is in the form of a Microsoft Word document, PowerPoint presentation or PDF file which have to open in a new window so they can run in the program that allows viewing of and/or interaction with the file.

As a sighted user, I find that after getting into the habit of closing everything that opens in a new window by clicking the X in the top left of the screen, I tend to do the same thing when I close a link that opened in the same window. When I do this, I end up closing the learning management system and the course out completely. As a sighted user, I find this very frustrating so I can't help but wonder what kind of experience a blind person might have under the same circumstances.

Because we can't avoid the instances where we have to open pages in a new window, we are introducing inconsistency by opening some links in a new window and some in the same window. For accessibility purposes, is it better to open some links in a new window and some in the same window or would it be better to open everything in a new window for the sake of consistency? Has anyone done any research on this specific scenario?

From: Whitney Quesenbery
Date: Tue, Feb 19 2013 1:59PM
Subject: Re: Opening Links in New vs. Same Window in Online Courses
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You describe a real usability problem, caused by a lack of consistency and
good presentation/affordances for secondary windows.

In usability testing, I see participants confused by second windows all the
time, especially when they are unexpected or proliferate, whether they are
using assistive technology or not.

The visual and interaction design advice we give is that secondary windows:

- Only be used for short, contained tasks (calculators...) or secondary
material designed to be used side-by-side (definitions..)

- Opened in a window that is smaller than the main window

- Formatted without the full chrome, so they are visually distinct

- Contain sufficient branding to connect it to the main page.

- Have an explicit close button either at the top, bottom or both.


Whitney


On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 2:50 PM, Vetter, Jackie < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:

> I understand that recommended best practice in online web accessibility is
> to make all links open in the same window so using the Back button will
> return to the previous screen. Because my team is in the business of online
> course design, it is not possible for us to open many (and, often, most) of
> our links in the same window. Much of the material we link to is in the
> form of a Microsoft Word document, PowerPoint presentation or PDF file
> which have to open in a new window so they can run in the program that
> allows viewing of and/or interaction with the file.
>
> As a sighted user, I find that after getting into the habit of closing
> everything that opens in a new window by clicking the X in the top left of
> the screen, I tend to do the same thing when I close a link that opened in
> the same window. When I do this, I end up closing the learning management
> system and the course out completely. As a sighted user, I find this very
> frustrating so I can't help but wonder what kind of experience a blind
> person might have under the same circumstances.
>
> Because we can't avoid the instances where we have to open pages in a new
> window, we are introducing inconsistency by opening some links in a new
> window and some in the same window. For accessibility purposes, is it
> better to open some links in a new window and some in the same window or
> would it be better to open everything in a new window for the sake of
> consistency? Has anyone done any research on this specific scenario?
>
>

From: Subhash Chhetri
Date: Tue, Feb 19 2013 9:36PM
Subject: Re: Opening Links in New vs. Same Window in Online Courses
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Hi Bryan,

U are right that it is not always possible to open each links within same
browser.
And for Screen reader also, it is not always problematic to brows the link
that opens in new window.

But while making a link that opens in a new window don't forget to attach
additional information (opens in new window or any meaningful one) to the
link itself.
Reason, in some browser, like firefox, screen reader does not give any
information that link is opening to new window. However, in Internet
Explorer, when any link is clicked that opens in a new window, screen reader
itself announce "new browser window" along with URL of a new page.

And usability tips addressed by Whitney might be helpful for Sighted user.

Best regards,
Subhash Chhetri

From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Wed, Feb 20 2013 8:56AM
Subject: Re: Opening Links in New vs. Same Window in Online Courses
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When a link points to a document (PDF, Word etc), please provide that
information within the link itself, such as
"Course schedule (PDF)"
That information should suffice, as users know that off-line documents
open in a new Window.
(at least this applies to screen reader users, since they always use
AdobeReader for instance, to view .PDF files).

Personally (and I know I do not have more research to this, not yet) I
also believe that links that clearly point to external resources, such
as social networks should open in a new window/tab (they do most of
the time anyway). I'd say the same for an eLearning-based nline chat
and such. In general I like links that point to an external site to
open in a new window/tab (but of course they should be indicated as
such).

When it comes to links that open up a new page within the site, I'd
generally not expect these to open in a new window, it could get
awfully clutterred very quickly.

When it comes to forms, I have seen things done both ways, but
generally prefer forms to open in the same window, thoughif there is a
confirmation message, a thank you, or some other indication, I have
sometimes seen it opened ina new window (personally I would recommend
using the Page Title element to indicate successful submition of a
form).

The most "personal preference aspect" of this post has to do with
links that open external sites. Time and again I have clicked on a
link to an external site, then closed the window only to realize I
closed the page entirely and have to reopen it, as I always expect
these to open in a new window or tab. Again, may be this is a habit
that I, as a screen reader user, have established, mostly because
links in GMail posts always open in a new tab perhaps.

Feel free to post any opinions on this logic, and I very much want to
conduct further research into this area, or read about research
conducted by others.
-B

On 2/19/13, Subhash Chhetri < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> Hi Bryan,
>
> U are right that it is not always possible to open each links within same
> browser.
> And for Screen reader also, it is not always problematic to brows the link
> that opens in new window.
>
> But while making a link that opens in a new window don't forget to attach
> additional information (opens in new window or any meaningful one) to the
> link itself.
> Reason, in some browser, like firefox, screen reader does not give any
> information that link is opening to new window. However, in Internet
> Explorer, when any link is clicked that opens in a new window, screen
> reader
> itself announce "new browser window" along with URL of a new page.
>
> And usability tips addressed by Whitney might be helpful for Sighted user.
>
> Best regards,
> Subhash Chhetri
>
>
>