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Re: does datepicker have to be accessible

for

From: Joe Chidzik
Date: Feb 8, 2011 4:30AM

I wouldn't have a problem with a date picker that wasn't accessible as long as the text input field could be used directly, as you've mentioned, to enter the date into manually. I would have a problem, however, if the only way of entering a date was via an inaccessible control.

The date format could be part of the input field label e.g.

Enter date (mm/dd/yyyy); this would let screenreader users know the correct format for entering a date.

For an example of an accessible date pickers, have a look at:
http://www.w3.org/TR/2009/WD-wai-aria-practices-20091215/#datepicker

Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of adam solomon
Sent: 08 February 2011 10:03
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] does datepicker have to be accessible

Scenario: a textbox meant to have a date written in it. A button next to it
(calendar icon) which opens the datepicker to choose a date. One can enter a
date manually into the textbox, as well. Does the datepicker need to be
accessible, or is it enough that the user can manually enter a date into it
without making use of the datepicker? How should the format of the date to
be entered be communicated to a screen reader user in an unobtrusive manner?
Thanks in advance

--
adam solomon
linkedin <http://il.linkedin.com/pub/adam-solomon/24/449/a4>;
blogix <http://adam.blogix.co.il/>;