[Moderate] Links opens new window without warning

[ntallman]

Issue Details

Source Issue ID	87904
Checkpoint	3.2 Predictable › Context Changes (on Input) (3.2.2.a)
Impact	Moderate
Standards	wcag2a, wcag2aa, wcag21a, wcag21aa, wcag22a, wcag22aa
Test Area	Footer
Test Case Name	AP Trust Registry (Demo)
URL	https://demo.aptrust.org/dashboard
Environment	Production
Platform	Windows
Assistive Technology	JAWS
Method	Manual
Digital Asset Type	Desktop Web
Release	4.2026
Product	Website
Date Reported	05/14/26 at 6:14 pm
Unit Type	Component
Issue Type	Best Practice
Reported By	sharyn.morrow@ablr360.com

Description

The link text does not indicate that the link opens in a new window. (AAA requirement 3.2.5)
The footer link for Commit "5b6d7e1" opens a new window without warning.

Recommendation

Rule:
If a link triggers the page to open in a new window or tab, the user should be provided a warning ahead of time.

How To Fix:
Fix this issue by informing users ahead of time of such behavior by methods such as the text label for the UI control or some advisory text placed before the control that cautions the user of this behavior.
Employ ONE of the following:

1. Include the warning in the text describing a control - Shop now (opens in a new window)
2. Use CSS to provide a warning before opening a new window (see reference Unexpected query result order in Postgres 14 #1 below.

References:
Giving Users Advanced notice when opening in a new window: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/general/G201
Opening new windows only when necessary: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/general/G200
Using the Target Attribute to open in a new window: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/html/H83

Background:
Opening new windows 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. 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.

Source Code

<a href="https://github.com/APTrust/registry/commit/5b6d7e1051b3851bf22b7451b646192a0b41eaa1" target="_blank">5b6d7e1</a>

Screenshots