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Re: feedback on proposed UD for CMS class - focus on Drupal &Wordpress

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From: John E Brandt
Date: Mar 22, 2013 2:25PM

Hi Howard,

When I read your posting, I initially thought that your audience could be
general CMS (Drupal & WP) users at the higher end of access (editors and
content developers) as well as site admins and general developers such as
myself. But then I read the proposed content for the class and saw several
sections on theming/template development - and that's a whole different
kettle of fish. I'm, thinking you could have three courses.

I've steered clear of "theming" (I work in Drupal, WordPress and Joomla) as
it can get very complicated, very quickly and is very specific to the
specific CMS application. I have taken some open themes and "theme
generator" like Fusion in Drupal and done some customizing, but this is far
from actual theme/template development. Add to this the whole new focus on
adaptive/responsive theming and you've raised the stakes even further. Then
there is the issue of major changes in the CMS core which often means a
whole new way of theming. So, I think there could be accessibility training
program just for theme developers. Lord knows, most of the CMS themes out
there are far from accessible.

Second, there is still the need for accessibility training for developers
and site admins and this one could focus on modules, plugins and extensions,
knowing how to pick a theme that is accessible and tweak it as needed. You
could talk about which text editor to use and issues related to the use of
scripting.

Lastly, since most of the accessibility errors in CMSs come from uses who
don't add ALT descriptions or know about how to embed URLs, or the proper
use of headings, or the importance of captioning video.... there is a need
for a third course to content creators and editors.

Not sure this has been of much help...I think I just increased your work
load.

~j

John E. Brandt
www.jebswebs.com
<EMAIL REMOVED>
207-622-7937
Augusta, Maine, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Howard Kramer
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 6:05 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] feedback on proposed UD for CMS class - focus on Drupal &
Wordpress

Hello All:

(please excuse any cross-posts)

As part of an effort to include more UD & accessibility content in
curriculum, I'm working to develop an online class on the topic listed in
the subject line above: Introduction to Universal Design for CMS: focus on
Drupal & WordPress. I'm looking for feedback on what would be considered a
target or appropriate audience.

*Audience & Prerequisites*

My thoughts were that a requirement for the class should be either
experience with some type of CMS, preferably Drupal or Wordpress or
experience coding directly with html & css. Those without one leg of this
requirement would be advised to take a tutorial in the area they are
unfamiliar with.
(Those without either would only be allowed to take the class if they took
tutorials in both areas, demonstrating that they were able to create at
least basic sites either in both CMS and html/css).

*Proposed Content for Class*

- Accessibility Standards
- Universal Design Overview
- Universal Design vs. Accessibility - what's the difference, what's the
overlap
- Drupal theme engine - creating accessible themes
- Testing for accessible Drupal themes
- Accessibility features and tools in Drupal
- Creating accessible themes in WordPress
- Testing & choosing accessible plugins for Wordpress
- Final project: using either Drupal or WordPress


*I'd appreciate any feedback on suggestions on*
- prerequisite skills (agree or disagree with what I have above).
- Suggestions for different types of audiences to market to.
- Suggested content
- anything you think relevant

Thank you,
Howard


--
Howard Kramer
CO-PI - UDUC
*Promoting the Integration of Universal Design into University
Curricula*(UDUC) Lecturer, Cont. Ed - Evening & Cred Admin
303-492-8672
cell: 720-351-8668
messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>