Change External Links in Varbase Blog site section default Content to Comply with WCAG 2.2 Accessibility Standards

Problem/Motivation

Accessibility audit tools such as axe DevTools, Lighthouse, and Siteimprove have flagged multiple external links within the Varbase Demo content that open in a new browser tab or window (target="_blank") without providing a visible or accessible warning to users.

This behavior can cause confusion for users - particularly those using assistive technologies - because the change in browser context is not communicated.
Screen readers do not announce when a new tab or window opens, which disrupts navigation and accessibility flow.

Proposed resolution

• Remove target="_blank" from all external links in Varbase Demo content.
• Ensure that all demo links open in the same window/tab by default.
• This approach keeps the demo simpler and fully compliant with WCAG 2.2.

Remaining tasks

• ✅ File an issue about this project
• ✅ Addition/Change/Update/Fix to this project
• ✅ Testing to ensure no regression
• ➖ Automated unit/functional testing coverage
• ➖ Developer Documentation support on feature change/addition
• ➖ User Guide Documentation support on feature change/addition
• ➖ UX/UI designer responsibilities
• ➖ Accessibility and Readability
• ✅ Code review from 1 Varbase core team member
• ✅ Full testing and approval
• ✅ Credit contributors
• ✅ Review with the product owner
• ✅ Update Release Notes and Update Helper on new feature change/addition
• ✅ Release varbase-10.1.0-beta1, varbase_blog-10.1.0-beta1, varbase-10.0.8, varbase_blog-10.0.10

Varbase update type

• ✅ No Update
• ➖ Optional Update
• ➖ Forced Update
• ➖ Forced Update if Unchanged

User interface changes

• N/A

API changes

• N/A

Data model changes

• N/A

Release notes snippet

• [#3553390] fix(a11y): Changed External Links in Varbase Blog site section default Content to Comply with WCAG 2.2 Accessibility Standards