Accessibility issues with links opening in new windows

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

I'd like to find out what people think about opening links in new windows, when it comes to accessibility. More specifically, external links.

A client recently asked me to add extra text to the end of all external links: "This is an external link, and will open in a new window". We were then to add the target="_blank" attribute to each external anchor, to make this happen.

The site was to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, item 10.1 of which states:

...do not cause pop-ups or other windows to appear and do not change the current window without informing the user.

Now - while the addition to the title attibute could be said to be "informing the user", I personally felt it would be better to give the user the choice.

The client had, apparently, had lots of touchy-feely sessions with (in their words) "disabled people", who said that it was "clearer" for external links to open in a new window.

Personally, I cannot comment on this feedback, as I wasn't party to the sessions... but I find it hard to believe anyone who relies on websites being accessible would opt to limit their choices in the way that they surf.

I told the client that I thought we should leave it up to the user to choose, but they insisted that "the people had spoken" (my words, not theirs).

So, I'm basically trying to get a wider opinion (other than the clients and my own) about whether it is "more accessible" or "less ascessible" to force external links to open in a new window, rather than letting the user choose.

I'm not sure the spirit of the WCAG gives developers carte blanche to force something upon a user, just as long as we tell them - but I could be wrong.

Thanks,
Dan

[tt]Dan's Page [blue]@[/blue] Code Couch

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[Foamcow]

I tend to avoid the new window thing for any links. However I can see cases where it may be desirable to open a new window. It's not bad per se to open a new window but it's bad to open it the wrong way if you see what I mean. This is where the guidelines help us.

I think one needs to ask oneself why it may be necessary to open a new window. Look at the link's context and decide whether or not it really warrants a new window. The default should always be the same window and there must be a good reason to deviate from the norm.

If it's simply a case (as it often is) that the site owner doesn't want to "lose" people from their site then I'd try to convince them not to open another window. The reasoning being that it's largely unnecessary and the decision shouldn't be foisted upon the user.

On the other hand, if the link would take the user to something up which directly relates to the "parent" page, such as a "help" screen then it's legitimate top open an new window. In fact it is probably more clear to the user.

I had a case of this myself the other day when using a large high street bank's site. Upon clicking a link to open an account a new window opened. This was simply the form I had to fill in to initiate the process. This probably should have been done in the same window. Within that form I was required to enter a branch sort code. The link to find this out was on the parent page (so I guess that's where the new window was handy) but when I clicked it the "Branch Locater" loaded into the window with the form in, overwriting anything I'd already filled in.
That's poor design.

As with most things "accessible" it's down to what you think is best given the circumstances. There is no black and white. I think the WCAG is there to tell you what to do IF you need to present something a certain way just as much as to tell you what is good vs bad.

So in your case, if the user is better served by having the links open in a new window (note "user" and not "site owner"... also note "better served"!) then the guidelines are there to tell you how to do that in an accessible way.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web site design in Cheltenham and Gloucester
Ham and Jam - British & Commonwealth forces mod for Half Life 2

 

[eyec]

after opening a new window, can you add a "Close Window" tag in HTML instead of using Java?

 

[Vragabond]

There is no close window tag in html, because html does not interact with windows. If you want to close the window, you need to use an anchor that calls javascript (not java, which is an entirely different thing altogether) and closes the window. Or expect the user to close the window the way they are used to.

 

[eyec]

that's what i thought, thanks.

 

[dmacster]

Almost every client I have wants external links to open in a separate window - in most of the cases they say it is because they want the user to be able to quickly return to their site without having to go back button - and I usually open external links that way for the same purpose - meaning if a site doesn't have external links open in a separate window, I cause my browser to.

After the Target thing that's going on as to accessibility, perhaps you'd be able to find some information as to what the organizations to help various disabilities would prefer.

Donna

 

[Foamcow]

meaning if a site doesn't have external links open in a separate window, I cause my browser to.

That's a piece of critical information right there.
You cause your browser to open links in a new window. It's your choice and not something you are forced to do.

Personally, I use Firefox and Safari as my main browsers. This means that I have the ability to use tabs. Indeed when opening a new site I often have the link open in a new tab.
If a page opens another window/instance of my browser I find it quite irritating as it's overriding the functionality I have, use and indeed prefer.

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web site design in Cheltenham and Gloucester
Ham and Jam - British & Commonwealth forces mod for Half Life 2

 

[BabyJeffy]

... Almost every client I have wants external links to open in a separate window...

When they use the excuse that they want users to be able to quickly return to their website I laugh. Everyone out their believes their website is so important that people need it open 24/7 and will be using it every moment of their waking lives (whist this may be true of a very very very small number of sites, it's hardly the case with almost every other website out there).

I firmly believe that all windows should open in the same window - with the exception of very specific functionality that may require launching a new window. If the user wants to change this behaviour, then they can use modifier keys (say) to open in a new window, new tab etc.

Cheers,
Jeff

[tt]Jeff's Page @ Code Couch

http://www.codecouch.com/jeff/

http://www.codecouch.com/jeff/blog/

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What is Javascript? FAQ216-6094

 

[dmacster]

I agree - see how US federal pages generally make notice - though this does open in the same window - gives the option

http://www.hud.gov/utilities/intercept.cfm?http://hud1.towerauction.net/MD.htm

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

As it happens - the client has now come back and agreed with me that it should be up to the user to choose.

Good news - but shame they waited until after I'd manually updated all the links before doing so!

Dan





[tt]Dan's Page [blue]@[/blue] Code Couch

http://www.codecouch.com/dan/

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[Foamcow]

lol

<honk>*:O)</honk>
Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web site design in Cheltenham and Gloucester
Ham and Jam - British & Commonwealth forces mod for Half Life 2