drupal

Join us THURSDAY, April 24 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, for our call to chat about all things Drupal and nonprofits. (Convert to your local time zone.)

We don't have anything specific on the agenda this month, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss anything that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!

All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.

This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone. 

Please note that, since we postponed for a week due to NTC, the Zoom link for this month is different. Please use the following link for April's call:

• Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81168469697?pwd=7UI5ZBjeDJQuicIq61et1TmMu2pDqb.1

  • Meeting ID: 811 6846 9697
    Passcode: 284106

• Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes

View notes of previous months' calls.

Agentic AI with Maestro

AI is disrupting the business world where many look to AI as a way to replace personnel. We at Nextide look at AI combined with our Maestro Workflow Engine as a way to increase people's productivity by replacing the mundane or repetitive tasks that humans do, retaining employees and allowing them to focus on important business tasks.  As AI offerings mature, offloading routine and time consuming tasks to AI to perform will become the norm. 

Introducing the Maestro AI Task!  

With our latest release of Maestro, you are now able to use an AI-powered task within your workflow templates.  Using the AI LLM of your choice, here's a few examples of what you can do with the Maestro AI Task:

In this episode of Talking Drupal, we discuss the latest DOJ accessibility ruling and its implications for Drupal with special guest Josh Mitchell. Josh, a seasoned expert who has led teams in digital agencies, governments, and non-profits, sheds light on what the ruling means for state and local governments, the importance of accessibility, and steps to achieve compliance. We also explore the Sa11y module, a powerful tool for enhancing website accessibility, and compare it with the Editorially module. Additionally, we touch on the upcoming MID Camp 2025. Tune in for an insightful discussion on making web content more accessible for all.

For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/498

• Can you give us an overview of the DOJ Accessibility Ruling
• Does this apply to federal websites
• When does this go into effect
• How does this affect current sites
• Hwo is Drupal positioned against this
• Does this rule apply to all content such as PDFs
• Any tips to organizations
• JS widgets

• Announcement of the rule
• Full text of the rule - PDF
• Fact sheet for meeting the requirements of the rule
  • https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-03-08-web-rule/
  • https://www.drupal.org/docs/getting-started/accessibility/how-to-do-an-accessibility-review
• AXE Core
• Core issue to automate accessibility tests with Nightwatch.js
• Keyboard traps
• COTS - Commercial off the shelf software
• VPATS - Voluntary product accessibility template
• Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR)
• Monsido - Acquia optimize - PDF
• Josh’s blog post

Joshua "Josh" Mitchell - joshuami.com joshuami

Nic Laflin - nLighteneddevelopment.com nicxvan John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi Kathy Beck - kbeck303

Martin Anderson-Clutz - mandclu.com mandclu

• Brief description:
  • Have you ever wanted your Drupal site to have a built-in accessibility tool that could identify things like potential color contrast issues? There’s a module for that
• Module name/project name:
  • Sa11y
• Brief history
  • It’s worth mentioning that the name is a numeronym, so spelled s-a-1-1-y, which plays off of a common way the word “accessibility” is abbreviated
• How old: created in Jan 2018 by Bryan Sharpe (b_sharpe) but the namespace was taken over in Jun 2024 by Mark Conroy (markconroy) of LocalGov Drupal, so the current 3.0.1 release, which supports Drupal 10 and 11, is a completely different module than the original 8.x-1.x branch.
• Maintainership
  • Actively maintained, in fact this module came out of the ongoing work being done on the LocalGov distribution and profile
  • Security coverage
  • Test coverage: no, but the module is effectively just a wrapper for the Sa11y library, which is CMS agnostic and used in the Wordpress and Joomla communities as well
  • The Sa11y library has its own website, which includes documentation
  • Number of open issues: 1 open issues, which isn’t a bug
• Usage stats:
  • 62 sites
• Module features and usage
  • We did cover the Editoria11y accessibility checker as MOTW all the way back in episode #350, almost 3 years ago, and Sa11y was mentioned at that time. Both modules have had major releases since then, so I thought this week’s episode would be a chance to do an updated comparison
  • Sa11y does include some checks that Editoria11y does not, such as color contrast checking and a readability score
  • The Editoria11y module, on the other hand, includes site-wide reporting that would be helpful for site admins, as well as a wealth of configuration options including one or more DOM elements to use as the container to check within, a list of elements to exclude, and so on. Recent versions of Editoria11y also include an option for live feedback as you edit, which should work with CKEditor 5, Paragraphs 5 or newer, and Gutenberg
  • At the end of the day, however, both projects are intended to provide your content editors with immediate feedback on the accessibility compliance of what they create. So, it’s worth looking at the feedback each tool provides and deciding which one is more useful for your team in particular

The dust from DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 has barely settled, and already the excitement for the next major event is building. DrupalCon Europe, set for Vienna from October 14-17, 2025, has officially opened very early bird ticket sales. Only 50 tickets are available at a special discounted rate, making this a rare opportunity to secure your spot early.

DrupalCons aren't just conferences - they are the heart of the Drupal community. They are where ideas turn into initiatives, where contributors find their next project, and where long-time professionals and new faces come together to push Drupal forward. Every major leap in Drupal's history can trace roots back to conversations, sprints, and collaborations born at DrupalCons.

The Vienna edition promises four packed days of technical sessions across seven tracks, contribution sprints, inspiring keynotes including the Driesnote, and community events like the International Splash Awards and Trivia Night. Registration also includes access to recorded sessions, catering, social events, and a digital tote bag.

Events like DrupalCon are critical to the future of open-source ecosystems. Code is built in repositories, but trust, cooperation, and shared vision are built in rooms like these. If you believe in the future of Drupal, there's no better place to be.

Don't miss your chance to be part of something bigger - grab your early ticket before they're gone.

Now, let's dive into the most important stories from last week.

DISCOVER DRUPAL

• Drupal Launches Marketplace Initiative and Seeks Community Feedback
• Frank Thoeny Releases New Book Library API Module for Drupal
• Balint Pekker Integrates Claude AI for Automated Drupal Code Reviews
• MCP Client Module Available for Drupal, Supports Integration with External Platforms
• Drupal 11.2 Alpha Phase Begins May 7, 2025
• Andrew Brown Releases His First Drupal Contrib Module: Custom Status Report

ORGANISATION NEWS

• Capellic Launches Hyperdrive: A New High-Performance, Component-Based Drupal Theme Architecture

EVENT

• Future-Focused and Community-Driven: Dave Sparks Reflects on DrupalSouth Melbourne 2025
• DrupalCon Vienna 2025 Opens Registration with Limited Early Bird Tickets
• DrupalCon Vienna 2025 Announces Track Team Leadership
• Drupal Meetup Ahmedabad Highlights Local Community and Tech Talks
• Álvaro Hurtado Wins Drupal Iberia Mascot Contest, Earns Ticket to DrupalCon Vienna 2025
• Humberto Luna Wins DrupalCon Atlanta Mascot Contest, Secures Vienna 2025 Ticket
• Drupal Tokyo Meetup #102 to Focus on AI, DrupalCon Recap on June 6
• University of Florida Tops Open Source CMS March Madness
• Upcoming Drupal Events This Week (April 21-27, 2025)

We acknowledge that there are more stories to share. However, due to selection constraints, we must pause further exploration for now.

To get timely updates, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. You can also join us on Drupal Slack at #thedroptimes.

Thank you, 
Sincerely 
Thomas Alias K 
Sub-editor, The DropTimes.

IXP Graduates from Initiative to Program: Companies Can Start Using It Now!

After years of planning and countless conversations, I'm thrilled to announce that the IXP Initiative has officially graduated to become a program that companies can use right now! This transition represents a significant milestone in our journey to open more doors for new talent within the Drupal ecosystem.

The Problem We're Solving

If you've been following my work, you know I've been passionate about addressing a fundamental challenge in the Drupal ecosystem: the difficulty new developers face in gaining that critical first professional experience. It's the classic catch-22 – you need experience to get hired, but you need to be hired to gain experience. 

This challenge ties directly to what I've been writing about recently – rebuilding Drupal's ecosystem pyramid. For years, I've been working to strengthen both the Latin American community and other regions that represent the middle and bottom of this pyramid. The narrowing base of our ecosystem pyramid poses a serious threat to Drupal's sustainability.

I saw this firsthand when my son Santiago completed Mike Anello's Drupal training program. Despite his new skills, he struggled to find opportunities because companies were looking for developers with workplace experience. This sparked my idea about how we should motivate companies to hire new people, introducing the concept of "inexperienced" developers and then aligning with Mike Anello, who had been thinking along similar lines.

From Concept to Community Initiative to Program

What began as conversations with Mike and subsequent discussions with Drupal professionals worldwide has evolved into a structured program. I first started raising this issue at DrupalCon Pittsburgh, but it was in Lille where we officially established the initiative. Working with Tim Lehnen (CTO of the Drupal Association), Raul Jimenez, and Borja Vicente, my wife Ana Laura and I were at the table when the initiative page on drupal.org was created.

The IXP Program creates structured pathways for companies to hire and mentor developers who have Drupal knowledge but lack professional experience. In return for providing paid work and mentorship, these companies receive substantial contribution credits through Drupal's contribution recognition system.

It's worth noting that while we've started with developers, the IXP program can expand to include site builders as well. With Drupal CMS on the horizon, agencies might want to consider adding introductory-level site builder positions to prepare for the new market that Drupal CMS will bring.

What the Program Offers Now

What began as conversations at DrupalCon Pittsburgh and formalized at DrupalCon Lille in 2023 has now evolved into a functional program with:

• A dedicated section on jobs.drupal.org for IXP positions
• Official documentation at Drupal.org/ixp
• A structured process for companies and developers to connect
• Clear entry and exit criteria
• A robust contribution credit reward system

Companies that successfully complete an IXP engagement will receive 250 contribution credits (with a limit of four per year). To put this in perspective, bronze level Drupal Certified Partners need 150 credits, silver requires 500, and gold requires 1,000. That means just one successful IXP engagement puts a company well on their way to bronze certification!

The First Pioneers: Growing Beyond Our Initial Partners

We're excited to announce that our first wave of participating companies has grown beyond just Seed EM and Bluefly. Digital Projex from Uruguay and Digital Polygon from the US have also stepped up to become early adopters of the program. Their diverse perspectives – spanning Latin America and the US – demonstrate how this program can work across different regions and business models.

These pioneering companies understand that investing in new developers isn't just about immediate project needs – it's about sustaining the entire Drupal ecosystem for the long term.

How It Works

For those interested in participating, here's what you need to know:

For Companies:

1. Register on the IXP site at the registration site (which is now ready for registrations and engagements)
2. If you're looking to find an IXP in the market, post a job on jobs.drupal.org (coupon codes available, just ask!)
3. If you already have trainees ready, you can simply register them directly on the IXP site
4. Create an engagement in the system with your IXP hire and mentor
5. Provide paid work (minimum 160 hours) with mentorship (1 hour of mentoring per 10 hours of paid work)
6. Submit bi-weekly progress reports
7. Ensure the IXP developer contributes back to Drupal in some way
8. Complete a final report and review process
9. Receive your 250 contribution credits!

For New Developers:

1. Visit jobs.drupal.org and activate your jobseeker profile
2. Select "IXP Developer" in your job category
3. Look for positions in the IXP Developer Hub
4. During your engagement, work with your mentor to contribute back to Drupal
5. Document your experience in a blog post
6. Complete the program to transition from "inexperienced" to your first professional Drupal experience!

Why This Matters for the Drupal Community

This program directly addresses multiple challenges we face:

1. A Broader Base: As I've written about in my "Rebuilding Drupal's Ecosystem Pyramid" post, Drupal needs a stronger foundation. The IXP Program helps widen that base by creating more entry points.
2. Regional Development: We want Colombian companies hiring Colombians, Brazilian companies hiring Brazilians, and so on across all regions. This program supports regional development by making it easier for companies to invest in local talent.
3. Contribution Culture: By requiring IXP developers to contribute back to Drupal, we're building contribution habits from day one.
4. Recognition for Investment: Companies that take the risk and invest time in mentoring new developers deserve recognition, even if those developers eventually move on to other opportunities.

Get Involved

We need your help to make this program a success! Here's how you can contribute:

• Companies: Register on the IXP site at the registration site and consider posting an IXP position.
• Developers: Update your jobs.drupal.org profile to indicate you're an IXP developer.
• Volunteers: We need help managing workflows, reviewing engagements, and developing resources. Look for us at drupal slack #ixp-fellowship.
• Everyone: Share your experiences with internships or mentoring programs as case studies.

Find more information about the initiative at drupal.org/ixp.

Looking Forward

This is just the beginning. With our pioneering partners leading the way, we're creating a model that can be replicated across regions and companies of all sizes. As we learn from these initial implementations, we'll continue refining the program to better serve both new developers and the organizations that support them.

I want to especially thank Sarah Lorensen for her outstanding work on UX and theming for the IXP site, which is ready to receive registrations and begin engagements right now.

I've always believed that Drupal's strength lies in our community's ability to identify challenges and build solutions together. The IXP Program represents another step toward a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem where talent can flourish regardless of experience level or geographic location.

What experiences have you had with bringing new developers into your organization? What challenges did you face, and what strategies worked well? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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With the excitement surrounding Drupal CMS, many in the community are asking: what’s happening with Drupal core? We’re thrilled to share some great updates.

Updated Drupal core strategy in the works

The Drupal core team has been hard at work developing an updated strategy to guide the future of core. While the Drupal core strategy document is still a work in progress, we’re excited about the direction it's taking — and we want your input! Community feedback is not only welcome, it's essential. Now is a great time to help shape the next chapter of Drupal core.

Introducing the Drupal Core Leadership Team

As part of these discussions, we’ve taken a fresh look at how we refer to the people stewarding core. The term "Core committers" focused on the end of the process some of us do, and we recognized that it doesn’t capture the full scope of leadership across the team — especially those whose impact isn’t reflected in code commits.

To better represent the diverse responsibilities and collaborative nature of this work, we’re introducing a new name: the Drupal Core Leadership Team.

Expanding team facilitators

Griffyn Heels (griffynh) based in Australia and working with PreviousNext, has been doing an outstanding job facilitating meetings in the Bug Smash and Experience Builder initiatives. We reached out if he would be interested to help us in the core leadership team too. We are glad that he accepted, so Griffyn joins the team as a non-committer member, as a provisional Team Facilitator.

Two Drupal 7 committers join the modern Drupal crew

As Drupal 7 reached its end of life earlier this year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work of the core committers who kept it going strong for so long. Rather than stepping back, two of them accepted our invitation to continue — now as part of the modern Drupal core team.

Please join us in welcoming Juraj Nemec (poker10) from ActivIT in Slovakia and Drew Webber (mcdruid) from Acquia in the UK. Both are joining as General Committers, a new role that focuses on contribution and collaboration without specific leadership responsibilities. We’re excited to have their deep experience and steady hands on board.

Strengthening frontend leadership with a focus on components

With Drupal core’s renewed emphasis on frontend components and display building, we’re reinforcing our leadership in this area. Pierre Dureau (pdureau), owner of Beyris in France, has been contributing thoughtful, high-quality work in this space with UI Suite for years. His attention to detail and focus on flexible solutions are exactly what the team needed.

We’re excited to welcome Pierre as a provisional Frontend Framework Manager, bringing more focus and faster momentum to frontend improvements in core.

One of the most surprising moments at Drupal Dev Days Leuven? Getting a phone call from Drupal. Yes, really.

Marcus Johansson gave me a spontaneous demo of a Twilio-powered AI agent built for Drupal, which triggered a phone call right from within the Drupal interface. It was unexpected, fun, and a perfect example of the kind of creative energy in the room.

That moment reminded me why I love Drupal. People were building, sharing, and exploring what Drupal can do next. The energy was contagious.

From MCP (Model Context Protocol) modules to AI-powered search, I saw Drupal doing things I wouldn't have imagined two years ago. AI is no longer just an idea. It's already finding its way into Drupal in practical, thoughtful ways.

Outside of doing a Q&A session, I spent much of my time at Drupal Dev Days working on the next phase of Drupal's AI strategy. We have an early lead in AI, but we need to build on it. We will be sharing more on that in the coming month.

In the meantime, huge thanks to the organizers of Drupal Dev Days for making this event happen, and to Paul Johnson for the fantastic photo. I love that it shows so many happy faces.

DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 brought the spirit of open source to life with vibrant energy, bold ideas, and community connections that stretched across the globe. The event made an unforgettable mark on the Drupal community — from the bustling exhibit hall to the heartfelt hallway conversations, from first-time contributors to long-time collaborators.

Held in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the conference welcomed attendees from around the world for four days of learning, collaboration, and celebration. It was a reminder of what makes Drupal so powerful: our people, our purpose, and our shared passion for creating a better web.

A Truly Global Gathering

This year’s conference drew participants from over 25 countries, reaffirming Drupal’s role as a global digital platform and community. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and India topped the list, but the impact spanned continents.

Who Attends DrupalCon

DrupalCon Atlanta attracted a wide variety of professionals from across industries, reflecting the broad applicability and flexibility of the Drupal platform.

From higher education and government to digital agencies and healthcare, Drupal continues to power complex web experiences in some of the most demanding and innovative sectors. 

This diversity not only fuels valuable cross-sector knowledge-sharing but also demonstrates Drupal’s critical role across public and private digital ecosystems.

Grassroots Power: Local Camps Take the Stage

More than 30 local Drupal camps and meetups were represented at the conference — a testament to the grassroots power of the community. Attendees proudly wore camp stickers, staffed community booths, and gathered to discuss regional challenges and opportunities.

To support local groups, we launched a new ticket-sharing initiative: 1 complimentary ticket for every 5th sold through participating organizations. As a result, 31 Drupal Camps received free tickets, expanding access and rewarding the dedication of our grassroots leaders.

First-Time Attendees & Event Stats

DrupalCon Atlanta welcomed 1,288 registered participants, with a 96% check-in rate — one of our strongest ever. Of those:

• 27% were attending their very first DrupalCon
• 41% (529 individuals) received complimentary tickets through speaking, volunteering, scholarship, sponsorship, or community contribution

A Seamless On-Site Experience

Hosting the event at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta provided an integrated, accessible experience for attendees. Sessions, social events, and accommodations were all under one roof, creating ease, comfort, and connection.

“Everything I needed was right there — it made attending so much easier.”
“It felt like the whole community was in one place. Loved that.”

What We Heard — and What We’re Doing With It

Survey feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors is being carefully reviewed as we begin shaping DrupalCon Chicago 2026. You told us what worked — and what we can improve — and we’re listening.

Key themes that will shape future events include:
- Even more dynamic and diverse session formats
- Streamlined navigation and event layout
- Focus on wellness, accessibility, and inclusive experiences
- Continuing to strengthen the “hallway track” and contribution culture

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Steering Committee

The success of DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of the North American Steering Committee. This volunteer-led group helped shape the event’s content, community outreach, and overall experience. Committee members collaborated across key areas—local engagement, DEIB, contribution advocacy, marketing, and speaker content—to ensure an inclusive and impactful conference.

We are deeply grateful for their time, leadership, and creativity:

• Bree Benesh – Speaker Review / Content
• Fredric Mitchell – Entry Level Representative / New User
• Jasmyne Epps – Local Ambassadors / Social Engagement
• Mike Anello – Contribution Advocacy
• Nikki Flores – Community Advocate / DEIB
• Rosie Gladden – Communications / Marketing
• Stephen Mustgrave – Core Conversations

Their efforts helped bring the Drupal community together in meaningful and memorable ways. Thank you for helping make DrupalCon Atlanta such a success!

The Power of Sponsor Support

DrupalCon Atlanta was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, who invested not just in the event, but in the long-term health and success of the Drupal project.

• Presenting Sponsors (Core 1): 2
• Champion Sponsors (Core 2): 5
• Advocate Sponsors (Core 3): 12
• Exhibitor Sponsors (Core 4): 27
• Village Sponsors: 6
• Community Booths: 3
• Media & Booth Add-ons: 8
• Meeting Rooms (Premium + Standard): 5
• Summit Sponsors: 9
• Dinner & Special Event Sponsors: 9
• Contribution Sponsors: 2
• Other Program Sponsors: 9

Total Sponsorships: 97

Their support made this experience possible — from coffee breaks and contribution mentoring to summits and stage time. Thank you again to our DrupalCon Atlanta Sponsors!

Looking Ahead

DrupalCon Atlanta was more than a conference — it was a homecoming for some, a first step for others, and a milestone for us all. The connections forged, the ideas sparked, and the paths paved here will ripple out through projects and communities around the world.

We’re already looking ahead to the next stops on our journey

• DrupalCon Vienna – 14–17 October 2025
• DrupalCon Nara – 17–19 November 2025
• DrupalCon Chicago – 23–26 March 2026

You can learn more about all upcoming events at https://events.drupal.org/ 

Until then — thank you to everyone who joined us in Atlanta. Let’s carry this momentum forward, together.

Following the recent announcement made in the Driesnote at DrupalCon Atlanta, we are glad to share with you that we are kicking off the research process for the Marketplace. And, as per usual, we need your help!

As we are starting to work actively on framing the idea of the Marketplace, we want to hear the thoughts of our partners. Hence, this Monday we sent out a survey to DCPs and contributing partners in order to gather their thoughts on the matter.

Meanwhile we are also looking for individual contributors. So if you feel courageous and excited about this new initiative, please, check out our “Join the Marketplace Volunteer Team!” form and become a part of the crew - we are thrilled to have you on board!