When using redirects or forms requiring a timed response, make sure adequate response time is given for mobility impaired users, users with screen readers and readers with cognitive impairments; all these audiences require extra time to process instructions.
SECTION 508 - A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links or very long lists of links.
If you need to implement a permanent redirect for URL it is recommended that you use the "HTTP status code 301" on a server rather than the <meta http-type="refresh" > tag. The 301 code is more standard, but can only be implemented by a server administrator.
If you need to redirect users to a new Web address, then a static page with a link is recommended over a page with a timed redirect.
If your Web site is set to automatically log out a user after a certain period of inactivity, make sure the Web site gives a warning with a reasonable window of opportunity for the user to click to stay connected.
Avoid using redirects to circumvent navigation buttons, such as a redirect which returns a user to the same page when the Back button is clicked. It is generally considered inaccessible to disable standard browser functions unless absolutely necessary.
Don't Disable the Back Button. It is possible to code your Web page so that when users click on the Back button, they are redirected back to the same page instead of going to the previous Web page. This is generally considered both non-usable and non-accessible because it interferes with the standard protocols of a browser and could cause confusion for many users.
A permanent redirect which directs users from an alternate Web address to a the real Web address can be automated to be instantaneous. Since this redirect path will be maintained permanently and is meant to be transparent to users, there is no need to provide any time lag.
An example of an permanent redirect would be a Web address like angel.psu.edu for the ANGEL Course Management system which automatically redirects users to the true ANGEL Web address which is cms.psu.edu.
Click on http://angel.psu.edu to see the redirect in action.
A temporary redirect is one in which is implemented after a Web site has changed its permanent address. The purpose of this kind of redirect is to inform users that an address is changing and that bookmarks and links should be updated.
Since information about the redirect needs to be read and digested by users, an untimed static page with the new U.R.L. is recommended over a timed redirect. See example below.
This page announces the new U.R.L. as a link instead of doing a timed redirect.
The TLT Cyberplagerism Web site has been moved to:
http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/cyberplag.
Please visit the new U.R.L. to view the updated Web page.
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