Overview

This lesson provides an overview of Blackboard's Ally - an integrated accessibility tool that is available in most Canvas instances at Washington community and technical colleges.

Core Concepts

Ally Overview

Ally is integrated in Canvas and works to support content creators to ensure that the materials they are creating and using are accessible.

The Ally tool is more than just an accessibility checker. In addition to scanning materials that have been created in and uploaded to Canvas, Ally also generates accessible alternative content formats for users and walks content creators through the process of fixing identified accessibility issues.

A small, colored gauge lets authors know if their content has any accessibility issues. By clicking on the indicator gauge, course editors can quickly review identified issues and get guidance on how and why to fix them.

Ally Features

Ally includes a number of useful features that make identifying and fixing accessibility issues a breeze.

When uploading content in Canvas, Ally will scan your file and produce an accessibility score. This score is symbolized by a small, colored indicator gauge next to the document/image (on the Canvas page, the Modules list, and in the Files list). The gauge will be red, yellow, green, or dark green depending on the score. (Green is good, dark green is even better!)

screenshot of files list with Ally scores circled.

When you click on the gauge you'll be walked through an explanation of each issue and given guidance on fixing the problem. To view all of the issues in a document, click on All issues (next to the document score). To learn more about the issue, simply click the buttons for What this means or How to fix it.

A red arrow pointing to a red Ally Accessibility gear indicating a low accessibility score on a document
Ally accessibility tool open on a document with a low accessibility score. The pane on the left displays the error in the document. The pane on the right displays the document's Accessibility score and red arrows pointing to the options for All issues, What this means, and How to add descriptions.

When you add a file to Canvas, Ally also produces alternative formats. To view/access those formats, click on the download icon at the end of the file name then select the option for Alternative formats from the dropdown menu.

Red arrows pointing to Downloads icon at the end of a file name and Alternative Formats selected on the dropdown menu

Please note that the alternative formats generated by Ally vary depending on the source material. Some of the formats available are:

Tagged PDF - for improved readability with assistive technologies
HTML - for in browser viewing
ePub - for reading as an eBook
Electronic Braille - for electronic braille displays
Audio - for listening

Download Alternative formats pane displaying formats available for download from Ally including Tagged PDF, HTML, ePub, Electronic braille, Audio, and BeeLine Reader.

Ally allows Canvas administrators to run institutional reports to monitor institution-wide accessibility improvements over time. This feature is also available to content creators at the course level and can help you prioritize issues that require your attention.

Student View

Students have the ability to download alternative formats of files, but they cannot see the Ally indicators/gauges.

However, if you're demonstrating something in Canvas to students they will see the indicators unless you demo in Student View mode.

The feature allowing them to download alternative versions is discreet and easily overlooked. We encourage you to show students how to access the alternative versions and to include a statement about Ally in your syllabus, course overview documents, or Start module.

Sample Syllabus Language

Ensuring that all students, including students with disabilities, have access to instructional materials is paramount to their success; therefore, all materials in this course have been reviewed and evaluated for accessibility. When possible, course materials are available in a digital format in Canvas, and students may download accessible versions of files via a tool called Ally. To learn more about accessing accessible versions of files, check out the short video Ally: Student View. In general, students using assistive technologies should be able to access all course materials; however, if you do encounter a barrier, please contact me/your instructor as soon as possible so that the problem can be remediated.

Ally User Group

If you would like to track the Ally feature updates, we encourage you to join the Ally User Group. This space is an excellent resource.

Check Your Understanding:

Which of the following statements about Ally is correct?

A. Students can see the Ally gauges and find out that instructors use inaccessible content.

Incorrect.
Nope. Students cannot see the Ally gauges. If an instructor projects their screen for students to view, then they will the gauges. To avoid this, use student view.

B. By clicking on the gauge you can find out what accessibility barriers exist in your content.

Correct.

C. Ally will automatically add alt text to images so that content authors do need to.

Incorrect.
Ally will allow you to add alt text if it's missing. It will not, however, be able to tell if the alt text makes sense or is accurate.

Additional Resources

Ally Overview Video - a quick overview of how content creators can use Ally. Note: some features have been updated. (7 mins) Ally Overview
Ally Alternative Formats for Students Video - a quick overview of the alternative formats students can take advantage of in Ally. (2:57 mins) Ally Alternative Formats for Students
Introducing Blackboard Ally

Click Next to advance to the next lesson or return to the Module Overview.