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Datepicker questions - are they useful?

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From: Mary Elizabeth Sullivan
Date: Nov 2, 2015 5:56AM

Hello,

I have a question about datepickers for the group.

We are looking to create a recommended pattern for a style guide. This style guide will influence desktop, responsive and mobile native applications.

Generally we know we want

<label ...>
<format instructions>
<input text box>
<date picker validation>

We obviously will also have to keep error handling in mind. My questions to everyone are:
- do screen reader users enjoy accessible datepickers or do they prefer a text box?
- do keyboard only or zoomtext users enjoy accessible datepickers or do they prefer a text box?
- same question for dragon users

- also for responsive and mobile web, do people like the input typeÚte with mobile assistive technologies like VoiceOver and talkback? Switch control? Or is the textbox preferred?

- is a sequence of drop downs better?

Lately I've been trying to find a one size fits all option and I really haven't found one. It begs the question, what is the most fluid way for people to use a date picker. What is the user impact? Are calendar date pickers helpful or do they make a simple process more difficult?

Thank you,

Beth


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