Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# F52: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.1 due to opening a new window as soon as a new page is loaded

## Applicability

Applies when scripting is used to open new windows.

This failure relates to:

- Success Criterion 3.2.1 (On Focus)
  - How to Meet 3.2.1 (On Focus)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 3.2.1 (On Focus)

## Description

Some Web sites open a new window when a page is loaded, to advertise a product or service. The objective of this technique is to ensure that pages do not disorient users by opening up one or more new windows as soon as a page is loaded.

## Examples

Note: There are multiple methods by which this failure may be triggered. Two common examples that are supported differently in various versions of user agents are listed as examples below.

### Failure Example 1:

The following example is commonly used in HTML 4.01 to open new windows when pages are loaded.

Example Code:

    window.onload = showAdvertisement;
     function showAdvertisement()
     {
      window.open('advert.html', '_blank', 'height=200,width=150');
     }

### Failure Example 2:

The following example commonly used in XHTML to open new windows when pages are loaded.

Example Code:

    if (window.addEventListener) {
        window.addEventListener("load", showAdvertisement, true);
    }
    if (window.attachEvent) {
        window.attachEvent("onload", showAdvertisement);
    }
    function showAdvertisement()
    {
    window.open('noscript.html', '_blank', 'height=200,width=150');
    }

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

## Related Techniques

- G107: Using "activate" rather than "focus" as a trigger for changes of context

## Tests

### Procedure

1. load a new page

2. check to see whether a new window has been opened as a result of loading the new page

### Expected Results

- If step 2 is true, then this failure condition applies and content fails the Success Criterion.

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