Re: Change on Request 3.2.5? Is warning required for links that open new windows?

I agree with Richard that opening a new window can be confusing for blind users. 

I have always understood that 3.2.2 (on input) covers this situation when it says (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#consistent-behavior-unpredictable-change)
“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) “

According to the guideline definitions “change of context” (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#context-changedef) = 

Changes in context include changes of:
1. user agent;
2. viewport;

Furthermore “Viewport” is defined as (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#viewportdef) 
“object in which the user agent presents content 
Note 1: The user agent presents content through one or more viewports. Viewports include windows, frames, loudspeakers, and virtual magnifying glasses. A viewport may contain another viewport (e.g., nested frames). Interface components created by the user agent such as prompts, menus, and alerts are not viewports. “

So if a link opens a new window without warning it surely fails 3.2.2 as it moves the viewport to a new window.

Fortunately it is quite easy to warn users if a new window will open using either text or an icon with alt text WITHIN the link text.

When we come to 3.2.5 (which is AAA level) the guidelines are asking that such change of context (even with a warning) can be avoided by the user either by not requesting the change,  or a mechanism exists that allows the user to turn of such changes (i.e by default). This implies that any pages that are targeted by “new window” links are also available via links that do not open new windows at all (maintaining  a consistent browsing platform).

Regards
Richard Warren
Technical Manager
http://www.userite.com
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From: Aubrey, Richard 
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 3:28 PM
To: 'Paul J. Adam' ; 'Phill Jenkins' 
Cc: mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org 
Subject: RE: Q: Change on Request 3.2.5? Is warning required for links that open new windows?

Hi,
>From my perspective, this warning comes in handy for users who are blind and are working in an application window. opening additional windows makes it confusing in navigation back to the application and difficult to know when you close the window (ALT F4) whether you are closing the application or just the additional window that has been opened.

Richard Aubrey | Manager, RBC IT Accessibility & National Co-Chair RBC REACH ERG for People With Disabilities, Enterprise Architecture Office (EAO) | Technology & Operations | RBC Royal Bank | 416-348-2926





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From: Paul J. Adam [mailto:paul.adam@deque.com] 
Sent: Monday, 21 July, 2014 5:04 PM
To: Phill Jenkins
Cc: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Group
Subject: Re: Q: Change on Request 3.2.5? Is warning required for links that open new windows?


Thanks for the feedback Phill! Since this is AAA I've never actually worked with it because clients only request AA. 


I think it should only be required for cases like modal dialogs where the browser or AT can't detect the target attribute. 


Safari for OS X warns you in the status bar if the link is going to open a new tab. No other browsers I tested did this. 


For Usability I think those link icons with alt should be required for new windows, file types, etc. 

Paul J. Adam
Accessibility Evangelist 
www.deque.com

On Jul 17, 2014, at 11:59 AM, Phill Jenkins <pjenkins@us.ibm.com> wrote:


  Paul said: ". . . So reading that portion I don't see how it applies to links because the user is actively "requesting" (clicking on the link) and links do happen to open in new windows often for all users." 

  I believe the intent of 3.2.5 AAA is to inform the user whether clicking the link will open a new window or whether it will simply load a new page in the existing window.  In other words, how does the user predict what will happen when the link is clicked - whether a new window is opened or not.? new window = change of context.  We see these little icons next to links all the time indicating which ones open new windows, or change web sites, etc. helping the user predict how it will operate.    3.2.5 AAA has to be read in context with the whole 3.2 guideline and the other four success criteria in it. 
  Guideline 3.2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways. 
  I would NOT recommend reading or trying to interpret each success criteria without considering the other success criteria in the guideline.  

  The other "context" needed for correctly interpreting the success criteria (in my opinion) is to consider the role of the user agent, assistive technology, and user settings.  Does the browser have a responsibility to warn the user by having a setting to allow it to warn the user that a new window (change of context) will happen?  If the user isn't using a browser capable (e.g. older version , etc.), or if the user hasn't set the setting due to lack of training, then the working group added some of these tripple A success criteria to compensate for lack of conformance of user agents with UAAG 2.0 and/or lack of training of users to use their assistive technology and/or potential conflicts as mentioned. 
  ____________________________________________
  Regards,
  Phill Jenkins, 
  Senior Accessibility Engineer & Business Development Executive
  IBM Research - Human Ability & Accessibility Center
  http://www.ibm.com/able
  http://www.facebook.com/IBMAccessibility
  http://twitter.com/IBMAccess
  http://www.linkedin.com/in/philljenkins 



  From:        "Paul J. Adam" <paul.adam@deque.com> 
  To:        "w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Group" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>, 
  Date:        07/17/2014 09:09 AM 
  Subject:        Q: Change on Request 3.2.5? Is warning required for links that open new windows? 

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  Can I get some help interpreting WCAG AAA please? I still don't see where the normative requirements state that links which open new windows must have a warning to pass AAA. 

  <http://www.w3.org/TR/2014/NOTE-UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20-20140311/consistent-behavior-no-extreme-changes-context.html> 

  Some pasted snippets<snip> out of the understanding document: 

  <snip> 
  Change on Request: 
  Understanding SC 3.2.5 
  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) 
  </snip> 

  <snip> 
  This Success Criterion aims to eliminate potential confusion that may be caused by unexpected changes of context such as automatic launching of new windows 
  </snip> 

  <snip> 
  Note: Clicking on a link is an example of an action that is "initiated only by user request." 
  </snip> 

  So reading that portion I don't see how it applies to links because the user is actively "requesting" (clicking on the link) and links do happen to open in new windows often for all users. I see this requirement as more for pop ups that jump out of nowhere with no action taken by the user or when a stupid news site forces a page reload to add new articles and the user's focus is lost.  

  However, it does mention in the techniques F22: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to opening windows that are not requested by the user which reads: 
  <http://www.w3.org/TR/2014/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20140311/F22> 

  <snip> 
  Failure due to opening new windows when the user does not expect them. New windows take the focus away from what the user is reading or doing. This is fine when the user has interacted with a piece of User Interface and expects to get a new window, such as an options dialogue. The failure comes when pop-ups appear unexpectedly. 
  </snip> 

  <snip> 
  Failure Example 2: 

  A user clicks on a link, and a new window appears. The original link has no associated text saying that it will open a new window. 
  </snip> 

  I only see this requirement specified in the techniques but then I see it says techniques are informative: 

  <snip> 
  Techniques are informative—that means they are not required. The basis for determining conformance to WCAG 2.0 is the success criteria 
  </snip> 

  So Techniques are not required but if you fail a Failure Technique that means you always fail, even though it's a technique, which is not required? I'm confused. 

  Thanks! 

  Paul J. Adam 
  Accessibility Evangelist 
  www.deque.com 




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Richard Warren
Technical Manager
Website Auditing Limited (Userite)
http://www.userite.com