Module 5: Ally for Course Documents

    Module 5 Ally

    Blackboard Ally is a tool to help you enhance the usability and accessibility of your course documents. Ally evaluates documents that are uploaded to Canvas and provides an accessibility score for each file. For files that don't comply with accessibility guidelines, Ally leads you through the steps needed to improve the accessibility of the document.

    Accessibility Scores

    Ally measures the accessibility of your course files, and shows you a colored gauge icon, that represents your file's accessibility score, or level of accessibility. Accessibility scores are determined by the severity of issues in each file. A low score indicates the file has severe or multiple accessibility issues; a high score means there are minor or no accessibility issues. For accessibility scores less than 100 percent, Ally gives you suggestions for improving the accessibility of the file.

    There are four colors of gauge icons: red, orange, and two shades of green, that measure your file’s accessibility:

    red indicator 0 - 33 percent: Red icon. The file is not accessible and needs immediate attention. The accessibility score will range from 0 percent to 33 percent.

    orange meter 34 - 66 percent: Orange icon. The file is somewhat accessible. The accessibility score will range from 34 percent to 66 percent.

    green meter 67 - 99 percent: Green icon. The file is accessible but could be improved. The accessibility score will range from 67 percent to 99 percent.

    dark green icon100 percent: Perfect. Dark green icon. The file has perfect accessibility, with a score of 100 percent. There is no action needed to further improve.

    View File Accessibility

    After you upload files in your course, Ally produces an accessibility score for each file. In lessons with multiple files, the accessibility score is shown for each file. In areas where you access files, the file score is located in the right or left corner. Select the score to view information on file accessibility. Select the link below to view more on finding accessibility scores within your specific LMS.

    Once you select a file's accessibility score, a panel opens to show the numerical score value along with information on the file accessibility. For accessible files, Ally tells you what you did correctly. For files that are not accessible, Ally shows issues within the document and provides a step-by-step guide on how to fix the problem. Ally gives feedback for images and text. While image improvements might be one step, text feedback will often include multiple step instructions. Common issues include untagged PDFs or contrast issues.

    Once you select a file's score, a panel opens to show the numerical score value along with information on the file accessibility. For accessible files, Ally tells you what you did correctly. For files that are not accessible, Ally shows issues within the document and shows you how to fix the problem.

    You will find the following details in the file accessibility panel:

    1. Accessibility Score. The file's accessibility color and numerical score based on severity of accessibility issue.
    2. Description. The description of the accessibility issue affecting the file.
    3. Additional information. Detailed information about how the issue affects accessibility and why it is important to correct.
    4. Instructions to improve. Step-by-step instructions for your preferred software that show you how to improve file accessibility.
    5. Direct file upload. A drag-and-drop area to upload original or fixed files. 

    screenshot highlighting Ally instructor feedback on Canvas file

    Alternative Formats

    Once you have uploaded your files, Ally will automatically create alternative formats that students can choose from. For example, when you upload a Word document, Ally will create versions of the document in the following formats:

    • Tagged PDF (structured PDF for improved use with assistive technology)
    • HTML (for viewing in browser or on mobile devices)
    • ePub (for reading as an e-book on an iPad or other e-book reader)
    • Electronic braille (BRF version for consumption on electronic braille displays)
    • Audio (mp3 version for listening)

    If documents lack correct heading structure, Ally will take a "best guess" approach to adding heading structure.