Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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F60: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.5 due to launching a new window when a user enters text into an input field

Applicability

General

This failure relates to:

Description

This document describes a failure that occurs when a new window is created in response to a user filling in a text field for other than error reporting.

Examples

Failure Example 1:

This is a deprecated example showing a failure: A user is filling in his mailing address. When he fills in his postal code, a new window opens containing advertisements for services available in his city.

Failure Example 2:

This example is acceptable: A user is filling in his mailing address in a form. When he fills in the postal code field, a script runs to validate that it is a valid postal code. If the value is not valid, a window opens with instructions on how to fill in the field.

Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

Tests

Procedure

  1. Find all text input form fields

  2. Change the value in each form field

  3. Check if new windows open

  4. For any new windows that open, check if they contain an error message and a button that closes the window returning focus to the initiating form element.

Expected Results

Techniques are Informative

Techniques are informative—that means they are not required. The basis for determining conformance to WCAG 2.0 is the success criteria from the WCAG 2.0 standard—not the techniques. For important information about techniques, please see the Understanding Techniques for WCAG Success Criteria section of Understanding WCAG 2.0.