I think this requirement is a little out dated, screen readers today do a good job of telling people that a new window is open.
I think the main concern is window pollution, if links are opening a lot of "new" windows it can be difficult for people with some types of disabilities to be aware of and find windows they are interested in. I believe a best practice is for your web pages to use the same TARGET attribute value so links from your page basically are updating the same "new" window and not creating a new window for every link followed from your website. Jon On Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 1:58 AM, Glen Wallis <glen.wal...@velocitynet.com.au> wrote: > Hello all > > > > I am interested to know whether the people on this list consider opening a > new window without alerting the user to be a failure to conform to Success > Criterion 3.2.2 of WCAG 2.0. > > > > The success criterion is as follows: > > > > 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 behaviour before using the component. (Level A) > > The key phrases, I believe are “user interface component” and “change of > context”. I looked up the definitions of both phrases. The glossary states > quite clearly that a link is a user interface component and that a change of > context includes opening a new window. However, the document “Understanding > SC 3.2.2” says > > “Additional Techniques (Advisory) for 3.2.2 > > Although not required for conformance, the following additional techniques > should be considered in order to make content more accessible. Not all > techniques can be used or would be effective in all situations. > > Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window. (future link)” > > This seems like a contradiction. The WCAG 2.0 Recommendation is the only > normative document, so it should take precedence over the Understanding > document. However, the Understanding document specifically states that > warning the user is not required for conformance. > > > > ******************************************************************* > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org > ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org *******************************************************************
