Ally Accessibility - Student Resources

What is Ally?

ALLY is a tool that integrates into Canvas that improves the accessibility of course documents and images. Ally evaluates all documents and images that are uploaded to a Canvas course and provides recommended steps needed to improve the accessibility of content where it does not comply with accessibility guidelines. Ally also provides students with multiple formats of the original document so students can select the one that best fits their unique learning needs.

Alternative Formats

Ally generates alternative formats for uploaded files that suit the needs of different students. Whether students prefer to listen to course readings during their commute or rely on screen-reader technology for scanned materials, Ally provides accessible options.

Ally creates alternative formats for your course content based on the original. These formats are made available with the original content so you can find everything in one convenient location. With alternative formats, all students can meet the same learning objectives using resources that are built to target the needs of the individual student. For example, Ally creates audio and electronic braille alternatives for students with visual impairments.

Alternative formats aren't just for a select group of students. Alternative formats benefit everyone. For example, some students may be prone to eye strain, or maybe they are an auditory learner. They can listen to an audio format of the content instead. Or use the HTML or ePub formats for easier reading on a mobile device.

Users can download the alternative formats anywhere they see the Ally accessibility tool's alternative formats download icon. Just choose the version of the original that works best for your needs.

The Ally accessibility platform automatically scans the original content and performs a series of steps to make them more accessible. These formats are designed to work better with assistive technologies, mobile devices, and study tools. Select the “A” icon or anywhere you see “Alternative Formats” in your course to open the modal (pictured below). Based on the original file, you will see your list of available options. Choose the option you want and click “download.” The original course file will not be affected by the alternative formats.

Supported File Types

Ally will review the accessibility of the following content types:

• PDF (.pdf)
• Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)
• OpenOffice/LibreOffice
• Uploaded HTML files (.html)
• Image files (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BPM, TIFF)
• Content created in the Rich Content Editor (on Canvas)
• YouTube videos

Ally Alternative Formats

Ally generates alternative formats for uploaded documents including:

• OCR’d version (for scanned documents)
• Tagged PDF (currently for Word, Powerpoint and OpenOffice/LibreOffice files)
• Immersive Reader
• Mobile-friendly HTML
• Audio
• ePub
• Electronic Braille
• BeeLine Reader
• Translated Version

Navigate Alternative Formats

Where will it download? When selected, the alternative formats link opens the Download alternative formats dialog with these options:

1. Tagged PDF: Downloads to device
2. HTML: Opens in a new browser window
3. ePub: Downloads to device
4. Electronic braille: Downloads to device
5. Audio: Downloads to device
6. BeeLine Reader: Opens in the browser window
7. Translated version: Downloads to device

Password-protected content

Ally doesn't generate any alternative formats for password-protected content, as it cannot get access to the actual content.

Need help choosing? More on alternative formats Links to an external site.

Why is this important?

Alternative formats aren't just for a select group of students. Alternative formats benefit everyone. For example, your students may be prone to eye strain, or maybe they are an auditory learner. They can listen to an audio format of the content instead. Or use the HTML or ePub formats for easier reading on a mobile device.

Users can download the alternative formats anywhere they see the Ally accessibility tool's alternative formats download icon. Just choose the version of the original that works best for your needs.

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Click on a student to learn how Alternative Formats can benefit them and YOU.

The student in the image above says, I take the bus to campus each morning and prefer to do my reading then. I'd like to listen to my assigned readings as I follow along. I also like to annotate and highlight my PDFs.

Solution: Tagged PDFs allow for offline viewing and text-to-speech, and can be highlighted and/or annotated. A Tagged PDF alternative uses tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—to add meaning to a page. It aids screen reader users with good content structure.

The student in the image above says, My philosophy professor scans his old books and uploads PDFs for us to read. I wish I could turn those into a searchable PDF that I can edit!

Solution: OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The OCR PDF alternatives are created when the original content is a PDF of an image. OCR technology analyzes the content and converts the image into searchable text.

The student in the image above says, After school I sit in traffic, then go to the gym before heading home. How can I get a head start on my readings while on the go?

Solution: The audio format alternative generates an .mp3 file, creating the option to listen to assigned readings on the road, at the gym, or at home! Ally detects the language of the original content and selects a matching language for the audio format file. If you want the original content in a different language, try the Translated Version format.

The student in the image above says, I get chronic migraines, so I need to adjust the background/text to something easier on my eyes. I get most of my reading and notetaking done on-the-go, and usually just use my smartphone.

Solution: ePubs allow for adjusting font, background, and text color. The ePub alternative creates a digital publishing file that can be viewed on mobile devices. ePub files are reflowable. Reflowable means that the content displayed automatically adapts to the device it is viewed on.

Suggested apps for viewing ePub files:

Apple: EasyReader Links to an external site., iBooks Links to an external site., Voice Dream Links to an external site., NaturalReader Links to an external site., and Thorium Reader Links to an external site.

Android: EasyReader Links to an external site., Lithium Links to an external site. and Voice Aloud Reader Links to an external site.

Windows: Calibre Links to an external site., Icecream Ebook Reader Links to an external site., NaturalReader Links to an external site., and Thorium Reader Links to an external site.

Linux: Thorium Reader Links to an external site.

The student in the image above says, I'm a neurodivergent grad student that struggles to focus through long, assigned readings. I need a tool to keep my eyes on track!

Solution: BeeLine Reader makes reading on screen easier and faster. Instead of using plain black text, BeeLine Reader displays text using a subtle color gradient that helps pull your eye through your readings. This new display format has been honored by the United Nations and is used by readers in 120 countries around the world. Read more about BeeLine Reader here

The student in the image above says, I have low vision, and getting my course materials provided in braille format can be an administrative chore -- I need to have access to these formats on demand, without waiting on other people.

Solution: The electronic braille alternative creates a BRF file that can be read on a refreshable Braille display (RBD), other Braille reading devices, or within a Braille software like Duxbury.

Think of a Refreshable Braille Display (RBD) as a monitor-less computer. Most RBDs can connect to internet, create documents, access calendar, and a lot of the basic functionality a computer provides. RBDs can be a standalone devices. They can also be connected to a smartphone, iPad, or laptop. Most RBDs are limited to reading one line of Braille at a time.

Other Alternative Formats

HTML

What is Semantic HTML? Tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—are added to add meaning to a page. These tag and elements aid screen reader users with good content structure. 

Semantic HTML is viewed in a browser and adapts to the device you are viewing it on. It is also available offline if students do not close their browser.

 

Image above shows three devices side-by-side, a phone, tablet, and laptop, that are displaying an academic journal with Semantic HTMLs. The contents of this academic article have been separated into its distinct subsections and can be viewed on each device. 

 

Immersive Reader

In a nutshell, Immersive Reader is an online alternative format that enhances the reading experience, increasing the readability of the content. Thanks to our partnership with Microsoft, Ally for LMS' Alternative Formats is now strengthened by this tool that allows learners to:

 

• Change font size and text spacing
• Change the contrast between the text and the background color
• Learn spelling and grammar by splitting words into syllables
• Highlight verbs, nouns, adjectives, and sub-clauses
• View a picture dictionary
• Increase reading speed with line focus
• Convert text-to-speech (both male and female voices)
• Translate content in real-time

Read more about Microsoft Immersive Reader Language Support here. Links to an external site.

Read more information about Ally alternative formats (including a list of supported languages) here. Links to an external site.

 

Translated Version

This alternative format provides a machine-translated version of the original content into multiple languages. PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and HTML documents are supported.

Need help choosing a format? Consider this table of file types by need/circumstance or read more on alternative formats Links to an external site..

The image above describes various needs (adjusting text/font/color, playback speed, commuting, mobile device, viewable offline, etc) and how various alternative format types help to address these needs. Users can refer to this table to think about which alternative file types might fit their learning needs or preferences best.

Student FAQs

Are alternate formats generated when a request to download is made?

• When an alternative format for a content item is requested for the first time, Ally generates the format on demand. In most cases, it generates within 1-2 minutes.
• As soon as it is generated, the alternative format is downloaded. Ally then caches the result, so any additional requests for the same alternative format can be served and downloaded from the cache immediately
  
  

Does Ally generate alternative formats for student content?

• Ally currently only processes instructional content. For example, content added by someone with editing permissions in the course, such as the instructor or instructional designer. Ally currently doesn't process student content or student submission
  
  

Which Braille code does Ally use for the Electronic Braille Format?

• Ally uses Braille Ready File (.brf) as the electronic Braille format. The braille code used depends on the language the document is in. For English documents, Ally uses Grade 2 Unified English Braille (contracted).
  
  

How can I access alternative formats of a file on Canvas?

• Locate the alternative formats icon next to the file you wish to download. On Canvas, the icons should look like a small arrow pointing downward (see images below). From there, select which alternative format you wish to download.
  
  

Why do I see "The alternative formats for this file have been disabled"?

• Instructors and administrators can turn off alternative formats for an individual content item within a course. For example, a file uploaded to the course.
  
  

Supported browsers

• Ally is supported on the same browser as the learning management system (LMS) it is accessed from. For the currently supported browsers, see What are the browser and computer requirements for Canvas? Links to an external site.

More Resources for Students

Quick Start for Students Links to an external site.

Student FAQs Links to an external site.

Ally for Students in Canvas

Video: Ally first steps guide explains how to download alternative formats in Canvas.

More about Alternative Formats for Students