Hello Damon,
Guidance on opening new windows is provided under the following WCAG Guidelines:
* 3.2.1 On Focus: When any component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context. (Level A)
* 3.2.2 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. (Level A)
* 3.2.5 Change on Request: Changes of context are initiated only by user request or a mechanism is available to turn off such changes. (Level AAA)
A good place to look these up is http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/quickref/
Some specific techniques are listed under Situation C: If the Web page uses
pop-up windows at
http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/consistent-behavior-no-extreme-changes-context.html#consistent-behavior-no-extreme-changes-context-techniques-head
You could also search for "new window" in
http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/complete.html
If you want more feedback on options, feel free to send your question to the
WAI Interest Group (IG) mailing list. You can join the WAI IG mailing list and
post questions by following the instructions under:
http://www.w3.org/WAI/IG/Overview.html#mailinglist
Re: "Why not have (force) all browsers have the ability to open the link in the same
window just like the users have the option of opening the link in a new window or
tab?"
You are welcome to submit this as a suggestion for W3C WAI's User Agent
Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG), which cover browsers. See
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-ig/2010AprJun/0066.html for links
to the UAAG 2.0 drafts and the e-mail address to send comments. (Although the
deadline is passed in that notice, we still welcome comments.)
Regards,
~Shawn
-----
Shawn Lawton Henry
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: +1.617.395.7664
about: http://www.w3.org/People/Shawn/
*From: *Damon Bullis <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>>
*Date: *18 August 2010 4:44:42 AM CDT
*Resent-To: *"[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> help"
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
*To: *<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
*Subject: **Questions about WCAG 2.0*
Hello,
I had one question about WCAG 2.0 and a suggestion for modifying/
changing it.
My question is to clarify the part about opening up new windows when a
user clicks on a link/ image. What is the proper way of notifying the
user that a new window will open up? Is it limited to just the text
after the link? Or can you use the alt or title attribute of the link
to convey that information to the user? What is acceptable for A or
AA or AAA?
I’m of the mindset that the user should have some control over
whatever the web developer created. Which leads me to my suggestion/
modification , which I realize you do not have any direct control over
but W3 could be the organization that to talk to those involved with
the process. Why not have (force) all browsers have the ability to
open the link in the same window just like the users have the option
of opening the link in a new window or tab? That way any device can
set its default settings to not allow a new window/tab from opening?
This could allow for greater accessibility for all.
Thanks for listening to my question and suggestion.
Damon
