By Minty on

I design and build static web sites that comply with accessibility guidelines, using standards compliant XHTML, css and tableless layout.

I now want to use an open source cms (i.e. a content management system, not a site design system) to help me manage site content without undermining the standards that I choose to work to.

This doesn't seem too much to ask, but other cms systems I've looked don't come close.

Have I finally found a good soution in Drupal ???

Comments

zirvap’s picture

zirvap commented

The theme functionality gives you complete control over the HTML and CSS. You can create a nasty standards-violating "Optimised for Infernal Exploder viewed on my personal, unique computer screen handcrafted by enslaved elves" theme, or a theme so perfectly standards-compliant that http://validator.w3.org/ will break out in spontaneous applause.

robert castelo’s picture

robert castelo commented

I added this page on accessibility a few days ago:

http://drupal.org/node/44661

Drupal also outputs completely valid standards compliant XHTML (I'm still working on a handbook page about that).

So the answer is yes, you've found the right CMS!

Cortext Communications
Drupal Themes & Modules

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Drupal Specialists: Consulting, Development & Training

Robert Castelo, CTO
Code Positive
London, United Kingdom
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varunvnair’s picture

varunvnair commented

Drupal is very flexible. In fact Drupal is not only a CMS but also a framework for a CMS. It has a simple and powerful underlying abstraction in almost all its parts and that goes a long way if you want to tweak it to your heart's content.

When I recently revamped my blog I also had the same issues (accessibility, standards compliance and tableless layout) on my mind. I am happy to say that my blog uses CSS for design, has a tableless layout and is valid XHTML 1.0 Strict Markup. Of course a 1-person blog is very different from full-fledged sites but the moral of the story is it can be done.

My Drupal-powered Blog: ThoughtfulChaos

Minty’s picture

Minty commented

Thanks for the quick replies on my enquiry.

I've now got started with Drupal and already feel sure that, unlike other systems I have tried, it will be well worth the learning curve.

mgifford’s picture

mgifford
he/him
Primary language English
commented

Since google returned it I thought it was worth noting that most of the links posted prior are no longer any good.

There are good resources here - http://groups.drupal.org/accessibility

Some good themes to choose from here - http://openconcept.ca/blog/mgifford/function_assessment_of_valid_drupal_...

Wonderful ideas for further enhancements to Drupal 7 - http://drupal.org/node/364629

And yes, definitely a community well worth participating in.

Mike
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