Date Slider

The Date Slider shows a list of important dates that users can scroll through horizontally. It includes basic date information and can accommodate single-day and multi-day events.

Dos

Use when only basic date information is required

Use in combination with other components (Pathway Card, Rich Text) that require a series of dates to reduce page spacing

Don'ts

Don’t stack multiple Date Sliders together

Variations

Use this option for site designs that call for lighter backgrounds or when this component would be close to other boxy elements.

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Use this option when the component should be further set apart from content or when a dark option would anchor a design.

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The Date Slider can take a feed from the Campus Calendar. Requires a token.

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Accessibility

Keyboard Accessible

Users are able to use the keyboard to navigate through the actionable elements using the ‘Tab’ key to navigate/focus and ‘Enter’ or ‘Spacebar’ to activate and focus can be moved away from the component. WCAG 2.1.1: Keyboard; WCAG 2.1.2: No Keyboard Trap

Hover and Focus State

Each actionable element within the date slider (e.g., navigation arrows, call to action link, linked date titles) has distinct styling on hover and focus. This provides a visual cue to the user that the element is focused and an action can be taken. WCAG 1.4.13: Content on hover or focus

Color Contrast

A contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 between text and background color is ensured to enhance readability. WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (minimum)

Responsive

The date slider is responsive, adapting to various screen sizes to prevent content truncation and ensures proper reflow when zoomed up to 200% without horizontal scrolling WCAG 1.4.10: Reflow

Title

Use a clear and concise title that describes the date slider content WCAG 2.4.6: Headings and Labels

Link

Use effective text to describe what the link is and where it is taking the user. This should be clear, descriptive text that conveys the link content succinctly and the purpose and destination of the link. WCAG 2.4.9: Link Purpose (Link Only)

Example of effective text (preferred): Learn more about Innovate Maryland
Example of generic text (avoid): Learn more

Disclaimer: If the visible link text is not sufficiently descriptive, you can use an aria-label attribute to provide additional context for screen reader users. The aria-label should clearly describe the link's purpose and destination.

If the visible text is not necessary for screen readers (e.g., it's redundant or less descriptive), consider using aria-hidden="true" on the visible text element. This ensures that screen readers will prioritize the aria-label.

Example with aria-label and aria-hidden:

<a href="https://example.com/innovate-maryland" aria-label="Learn more about Innovate Maryland"> <span aria-hidden="true">Learn more</span> </a>

This ensures that the link is accessible while maintaining concise visible text.

Content

Recommended character limits

Event Title

20 characters (50 max)

Component Title

15 characters (30 max)

Layout

The date strip includes a title, optional link, and up to 3 dates at a time. There are both light and dark versions. Use the light version when working within a lighter, airy design.

Guidelines

Required title. Optional <view all> link and up to 3 dates.
If fewer than 3 dates, dates remain left aligned
Minimum 1 date. Maximum of 3 dates show at a time, with option to link to a full list or carousel option if more than 3 dates entered.
Dynamic date listing - once date has passed, it should disappear from the component and the next date in sequence should appear
Background color aligns to right of the site but content is constrained to the outer lock
Accommodates date ranges. Show start and end dates in instance of a range.
Sizing for height and width based on content - component height is based on event with the most characters (cost of having an aria-hidden attribute update for hidden elements)

Animation

Hover state: Titles are underlined.
Carousel function if more than 3 dates (desktop). Carousel function kicks in for fewer dates/cutoff as viewport shrinks. User should be able to swipe to advance dates as well as tap or click on arrows.