It's not just screen readers that have problems with new windows. Every user group we have tested with has had problems.
Screen reader users sometimes do not notice that the screen reader has announced the opening of a new window. Screen magnifier users frequently cannot tell that a new window has opened, particularly if it is larger than their screen, which is invariably the case at anything over 4x magnification. Even sighted users often do not notice. This is especially the case if a link opens in a new tab rather than a new window. The best practice is not to open new windows at all, regardless of what WCAG 2.0 may or may not say. Steve -----Original Message----- From: li...@webstandardsgroup.org [mailto:li...@webstandardsgroup.org] On Behalf Of Jon Gunderson Sent: 12 March 2009 14:23 To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: Re: [WSG] a WCAG 2.0 question 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 ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: memberh...@webstandardsgroup.org *******************************************************************
