[AccessD] That SQL date catch again

I've heard you guys discuss the SQL behavior that uses the US standard for
date strings, which causes non-US developers trouble if they don't know
about it. 
 
My question is:
 
Is this a problem only when passing a date "string" or is the same true if
you pass a date data type. I would think SQL should be able to process a
date value passed by a date data type correctly. 
 
I haven't tested anything -- looking for a place to start. 
 
Susan H.