RE: COGA, the Accessibility of Digital Content by Individuals w/ LD Initiative

Guidelines that help define, and therefore support digital  content 
accessibility, are in keeping with established United States  federal regulations, 
for example Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, The  Americans With 
Disabilities Act and The Individuals With Disabilities Act .  The United  States 
should continue to take the lead, as it has with  the aforementioned federal 
regulations, by incorporating the 10 WCSAG   criteria, good policy that is 
internationally-recognized. 
 
Every single one of the COGA Success Criterion are needed and useful  in 
today's computer driven world . Nobody can  underestimate the  number of 
decisions made , and the likelihood of success, based upon  an individual's 
knowledge of digital tools. 
 
This is especially true in the area of computer testing, and in the  area 
of evaluation processes that many states have adopted. The cumbersome  
process of student evaluation created for teachers and administrators in  
education could be made easier and less time consuming for both the evaluators  and 
the one being evaluated.  
 
The implementation of the Success Criteria are additions  which increase 
productivity for users. Connecting student users through  online portals allow 
for continuous monitoring by teachers, and data-driven  development of 
effective teaching strategies. Enhancing student experiences and  ensuring their 
total participation through easing their use  of technologies are obvious 
mandates.
 
Leveraging existing IT infrastructure to make technology work for  
additional users has substantial benefits.  Sustainability within  educational 
organizations would have low or no costs once the adaptations are  generated. 
 
What better example to give to students than to comply with  policy and 
legal requirements? 
Is there a better way to foster social responsibility in more students  
than to include advanced accessibility features to mitigate segregating  part 
of the student body from portals open to other students ?
 
Colleen Doherty