Amber Hinds

Steve Jones

Road Warrior Creative

Equalize Digital

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Success Criterion 3.2 (Predictable) specifies that web pages should appear and operate in predictable ways. It is a common practice to set links that go to off-site locations to open in a new window or tab when clicked. Opening new windows or tabs automatically when a link is activated can be disorienting for people who have difficulty perceiving visual content, and for some people with cognitive disabilities, if they are not warned in advance.
This plugin helps websites become more accessible and better meet WCAG guidelines for predicability by providing advanced warning if a link is going to open a new window or tab before the user clicks or activates it. Providing a warning allows the user to decide it they want to leave the current window, and the warning will help them find their way back, if they do decide they would like to go to the new window. It will help them understand that the “back” button will not work and that they have to return to the last window they had open, in order to find their previous location.
There are no settings in this plugin. Simply activate it and it will automatically find all links that open in a new window and add the following three fixes to each link: 
1. A new window icon after the link text to denote that the link opens in a new window for sighted people. 
2. A tooltip, visible on hover, that says “opens a new window.” 
3. “Opens a new window” screen reader text that will be read out to blind or visually impaired people using screen readers immediately following the link anchor text.
Please note: new window warnings will be added to links and links that have been styled to look like buttons, including social media sharing and link icons. Depending upon what third party plugins are adding links to your site that open in new windows, some CSS styling may be required.
In addition to adding warnings for your users, this plugin integrates with the <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/accessibility-checker/" rel="ugc">Accessibility Checker plugin</a>; when Accessibility New Window Warnings is activated, it will automatically clear all “<a href="https://equalizedigital.com/accessibility-checker/link-opens-new-window-or-tab/" rel="nofollow ugc">Link Opens New Window or Tab</a>” warnings in Accessibility Checker scans of your website. Installing and activating this plugin is a great way to quickly remediate and remove a lot of open issues across you entire website.
The Accessibility New Window Warnings plugin is inspired by <a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G201.html" rel="nofollow ugc">Techniques for WCAG 2.0 G201: Giving users advanced warning when opening a new window</a>.
<h3>Localization</h3>
The Accessibility New Window Warnings plugin is ready for localization. We have added a Spanish translation and are open to more translations!
If you would like to contribute a translation to this plugin, please <a href="https://equalizedigital.com/contact/" rel="nofollow ugc">contact us</a> or <a href="https://github.com/equalizedigital/accessibility-new-window-warnings" rel="nofollow ugc">fork the repository on GitHub</a>.

Accessibility New Window Warnings

Install, activate, DONE! I love how simply this plugin fixes a real problem! This goes right into my starter site and on every website I build from here on out!

Simple solution for an important problem


I installed this on my blog as I wanted to ensure there was a visible indication when links opened external pages to better comply with accessibility guidelines without having to go through hundreds of old posts. Did the job and correctly and easily and automaticaly added the desired indicators, markup and icons.


Does the job intended

Make links that open in a new window compliant with WCAG guidelines for accessibility by adding a warning for users.

WebToffee

Tessa (they/them), AuRise Creative

WebYes is an accessibility checker that helps WordPress site owners and developers improve their website’s accessibility. It scans your webpage and highlights WCAG and ADA violations directly on the frontend, making them easy to identify and fix.
<h3>Key Features</h3>
Here’s what the WebYes plugin can do:
<ul>
<li>Highlights headings and flags incorrect heading order for better structure.</li>
<li>Identifies elements with poor contrast and suggests improvements.</li>
<li>Flags ambiguous links and encourages more descriptive alternatives.</li>
<li>Detects input fields missing labels to ensure accessibility.</li>
<li>Annotates images without alt text to enhance screen reader support.</li>
<li>Simulates screen reader output by letting users hover over elements.</li>
</ul>
Note: The Screen Reader Wand (screen reader simulation) is an experimental feature and may not function perfectly at all times.
<h3>Why Use the WebYes Plugin?</h3>
WebYes makes accessibility checks quick and easy. It shows issues right on your website, so you know exactly where to make adjustments. 
To fix the issue, you can simply right-click the annotated element, select Inspect Element, and update the code or attributes. Everything is done right on your site – no need to switch to external tools or visit third-party web apps.
<h3>Limitations and Advanced Solutions</h3>
The WebYes plugin highlights only the most common accessibility gaps. However, it should be noted that no automated tool, including WebYes, can identify every issue or fully guarantee compliance with ADA and WCAG standards.
For a deeper accessibility audit, try the <a href="https://app.webyes.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">WebYes app</a> – our advanced, free website audit and monitoring tool. The app evaluates your website against all WCAG guidelines, offering deeper and more comprehensive accessibility insights.

WebYes WP Accessibility Checker – Easily Discover ADA & WCAG Compliance Gaps

WebYes is an accessibility checker that helps WordPress site owners and developers improve their website’s accessibility. It scans your webpage and hi …

Accessibility New Window Warnings vs WebYes WP Accessibility Checker – Easily Discover ADA & WCAG Compliance Gaps