Amber Hinds

Steve Jones

Road Warrior Creative

Equalize Digital

<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:<br />
1. A new window icon after the link text to denote that the link opens in a new window for sighted people.<br />
2. A tooltip, visible on hover, that says “opens a new window.”<br />
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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>In addition to adding warnings for your users, this plugin integrates with the <strong><a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/accessibility-checker/" rel="ugc">Accessibility Checker plugin</a></strong>; 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.</p>
<p>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>.</p>
<h3>Localization</h3>
<p>The Accessibility New Window Warnings plugin is ready for localization. We have added a Spanish translation and are open to more translations!</p>
<p>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>.</p>


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.

PI Web Solution

Steve Curtis

Joe Lopreste

<p>This plugin helps you find, understand, and begin fixing real accessibility issues. Use the accessibility checker to review common page-level issues like missing or poor image Alt text, contrast problems, unclear links, missing labels, headings, landmarks, and page structure, with issues highlighted on the front end so you can see where they appear.</p>
<p>Instead of masking problems with an overlay, this plugin helps you identify issues and make real improvements. It includes an easy-to-understand page-level accessibility checker for common WCAG issues, tools to find and add missing Alt text, a contrast ratio checker, an interactive accessibility checklist, free accessibility resources, and a built-in web accessibility course.</p>
<p><strong>No account, email signup, credit card, or overlay gimmicks required, just install the plugin and start making meaningful accessibility improvements in WordPress.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Watch the 3-Minute Plugin Tour</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZimHulIBx-c?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<h3>What You Can Do Right After Installing</h3>
<ul>
<li>Run unlimited front-end accessibility checks for common WCAG issues on individual pages</li>
<li>Review headings, labels, contrast, link text, landmarks, and image Alt text</li>
<li>Use the screen reader preview wand to understand what may be announced</li>
<li>Find and fix images missing <strong>Alt / Description / Caption</strong> text</li>
<li>Update missing text individually or in bulk</li>
<li>Check color contrast ratios before publishing</li>
<li>Use a guided checklist to track progress</li>
<li>Access a built-in <strong>web accessibility course</strong> module</li>
<li>Follow links to free web accessibility resources</li>
</ul>
<p>⭐ Trusted by WordPress users (4.9/5 rating with over 40,000 downloads).</p>
<h3>Why This Matters</h3>
<p>Web accessibility is about helping people use technology, regardless of ability. Since WordPress powers such a large portion of the web, WordPress site owners, developers, and content teams are uniquely positioned to make a real difference. This plugin helps make that first step easier by finding common accessibility issues, fixing missing image text, checking contrast, and providing training so you can start making meaningful improvements without needing to become an expert overnight.</p>
<h3>Key Features</h3>
<h4>1. Accessibility Checker / Quick Page Scans</h4>
<p>Run unlimited page-level checks directly on the front end of your WordPress site to identify common accessibility issues, highlight where they appear, and get practical guidance on what to review and fix.</p>
<p><strong>What the Accessibility Checker Helps Review:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Unlimited page-level checks for common WCAG issues</li>
<li>Headings and page structure</li>
<li>Form labels and input accessibility</li>
<li>Color contrast issues</li>
<li>Link text clarity</li>
<li>Missing image Alt text</li>
<li>Landmarks and page regions</li>
<li>Screen reader preview wand to help understand what may be announced</li>
<li>Code location details for identified issues</li>
<li>Suggested fixes and remediation guidance</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Best for:</strong> quickly finding common accessibility issues on the live front end, seeing where they appear, understanding what they mean, and learning how to start fixing them.</p>
<h4>2. Missing Alt Text Finder (Media Library + Live Content)</h4>
<ul>
<li>See every image missing <strong>Alt / Description / Caption</strong> text</li>
<li>Find images already embedded in published <strong>Posts/Pages</strong></li>
<li>Update missing text in bulk (or edit individually)</li>
<li>Filter to focus only on what needs attention</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Best for:</strong> quick wins, measurable accessibility progress, cleaner content, and improved image context for SEO.</p>
<h4>3. Contrast Ratio Checker</h4>
<p>Quickly check color contrast ratios with a simple pass/fail so text and UI elements are easier to read.</p>
<ul>
<li>Check foreground and background color combinations</li>
<li>Get a simple pass/fail result</li>
<li>Preview how the text looks on the selected background</li>
<li>Review contrast for normal and large text</li>
<li>Reduce common color contrast issues before they reach users</li>
</ul>
<h4>4. Guided Accessibility Checklist</h4>
<p>Use a simple interactive checklist to help you and your team:</p>
<ul>
<li>Understand what to review</li>
<li>Prioritize what to fix first</li>
<li>Track accessibility progress over time</li>
<li>Build better accessibility habits inside WordPress</li>
</ul>
<h4>5. Built-In Web Accessibility Course</h4>
<p>Learn accessibility fundamentals directly inside WordPress with step-by-step lessons designed covering:</p>
<ul>
<li>Web Accessibility Foundations</li>
<li>WCAG Guidelines</li>
<li>Accessible Design Principles</li>
<li>Accessible Development Principles</li>
<li>Testing and Remediation</li>
<li>Agency Implementation</li>
</ul>
<p>This is ideal for site owners, designers, developers, content editors, and teams that want practical guidance, not just tool output.</p>
<h4>6. Free Accessibility Resources</h4>
<p>Access free accessibility resources and reference links to support long-term accessibility improvements.</p>
<ul>
<li>WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 guidelines</li>
<li>VPAT/ACR templates and documentation resources</li>
<li>Links to relevant accessibility laws and standards</li>
<li>Educational materials for learning and improving accessibility</li>
<li>Resources to help site owners, developers, and teams take the next step</li>
</ul>
<h3>Built to Support Real Accessibility Work</h3>
<p>✅ <strong>This plugin helps you find, understand, and fix common accessibility issues inside WordPress,</strong> including missing image alt text, missing image descriptions/captions, contrast issues, and other common problems found through quick scans and guided checks.</p>
<p>❌ <strong>It is not a one-click compliance fix or overlay-style shortcut.</strong> Accessibility still requires human review, manual testing, and thoughtful remediation, but this plugin gives you the tools, training, and guidance to start making meaningful improvements.</p>
<h3>Short How-To Videos</h3>
<p><strong>Video #1: Accessibility Checker Tool</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rB62XvXygjQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Video #2: Finding & Fix Missing Alternative Text</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nRDQA-5XeiU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Video #3: How to Use the Course</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lINoez-k4Nw?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Video #4: Accessibility Compliance Checklist</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/on3HJCcfsTM?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Video #5: Color Contrast Checker</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mQD6MU5L6bQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Video #6: Free Resources for Web Accessibility</strong></p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iyaVj7mvuKE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe></span></p>
<h3>Want to Go Further?</h3>
<p>The free plugin gives you practical tools to start improving accessibility inside WordPress. For users who want expanded features, additional guidance, and more advanced accessibility support, the Pro version is designed to help you go further and make accessibility easier to manage over time.</p>
<p><a href="https://508accessible.com/accessibility-wp-multi-tool/" rel="nofollow ugc"><strong>Explore Pro Features</strong></a></p>
<h3>Need Professional Accessibility Help?</h3>
<p>For professional accessibility audits, remediation, PDF accessibility, VPAT/ACR support, and training, visit: <a href="https://508accessible.com" rel="nofollow ugc">508accessible.com</a></p>


Accessibility Tools & Alt Text Finder

WordPress accessibility checker for WCAG issues, missing Alt text finder, contrast checker, guided checklists, resources, and accessibility training.

Accessibility New Window Warnings vs Accessibility Tools & Alt Text Finder