It's not just blind users. In our user testing we find that new windows cause problems for many user groups, although the reasons differ. Screen magnifier users are often unaware that a new window has opened because even a relatively small window fills their entire screen area. Screen reader users are notified that a new window is opening but sometimes don't notice this warning because they are still digesting the content they were listening to on the previous page. Even a fully able user with voice recognition software repeatedly failed to notice new windows opening in some recent tests we conducted. I believe this is purely due to a lack of attention, perhaps because the voice recognition software and a large screen allow the user to adopt a more relaxed, distant viewing position. We also find that people are very selective in what they read, and often miss very clear instructions stating that new windows will open or the new page contains a different document format. I really don't know how you address this other than by not opening new windows and not using alternative document formats. With regard to the document format, all the assistive technologies mentioned above behave differently when reading PDFs, Word documents etc compared with HTML pages. Very often the users did not notice the change of format and were hence confused because the pages did not respond as expected. By all means provide these formats for downloading and distribution but wherever possible it is best to keep to HTML. Steve Green Director Test Partners Ltd / First Accessibility wwww.testpartners.co.uk www.accessibility.co.uk
_____ From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 19 February 2007 12:50 To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: RE: [WSG] Site check andrewingram.net Lisa, For a blind user, it is very annoying for a new window to open, breaking the back button. If you want further evidence, there is plenty out there, and pretty much all of it says "don't use new windows" Mike _____ From: listdad@webstandardsgroup.org [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of lisa fox Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 3:34 AM To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: Re: [WSG] Site check andrewingram.net Tim, Agreed. However, from a user-friendly perspective, it is very annoying to close a window and realise that you have lost where you were. This is where you make the decision on the purpose of the website, whether it is purely to display that you can comply with strict or whether it is for the user. Lisa On 2/18/07, Tim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Lisa, You can't open new windows and still have a Strict DOCTYPE as Andrew has! Personally I think pdf are annoying and would I prefer to see the content in a webpage, maybe an option to download the pdf. Tim On 18/02/2007, at 2:04 PM, lisa fox wrote: > Hi Andrew > You are better to open the pdf and Word document in a new window. > Most viewers would click on the link,the pdf/Word opens in the same > browser window. They would finish reading and out of habit close the > window forgetting that it is the same window. If the documentsopen > in a new window the viewer can close the window and remain on your > site. > > Lisa > > > > On 2/18/07, Andrew Ingram <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: Hey all, >> >> It's been a long week, but i've got my basic site template integrated >> with Expression Engine (from scratch, in my wisdom I decided it would >> be >> a good idea to delete all the default templates and build everything >> from nothing :/) >> >> So I invite you all to check for accessibility, semantics and all that >> jazz.I welcome any suggestions provided that the suggestion isn't to >> switch to a liquid or elastic layout :) >> >> Basically, anything you can think of (especially things that are an >> easy >> fix) would be most welcome. >> >> http://www.andrewingram.net/ >> >> Thanks, >> Andrew Ingram >> >> >> ******************************************************************* >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> ******************************************************************* >> > > > ******************************************************************* > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ******************************************************************* The Editor Heretic Press http://www.hereticpress.com Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm <http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *******************************************************************
