This guide provides an overview of alternative formats provided by Ally.
Alternative formats are automatically generated and enabled in Blackboard. It is now possible for an instructor or administrator to disable the alternative formats for an individual content item within a course. This provides full flexibility over which content items should have alternative formats, and can be especially useful for content items that don't have a license that allows the creation of alternative formats.
About Alternative Formats
Ally creates alternative formats of your course content and uploaded files.
Alternative formats aren't just for a select group of students. Alternative formats benefit everyone. For example, maybe a student has a lot of course material to read and gets eye strain, or maybe (s)he is an auditory learner and would prefer to listen to an MP3 audio file.
You don’t need to do anything. The alternative formats are created for you automatically by Ally. For example, Blackboard Ally creates audio and electronic braille alternatives for students with visual impairments. These formats are made available with the original file so students can find everything in one convenient location.
The availability of alternative file types is based on the type of file uploaded.
Ally can generate the following types of alternative formats (Note, formats will vary based on the original file)
- Tagged PDF
- A Tagged PDF is a PDF document with a logical order for users using screen readers to be able to follow easily
- HTML
- An HTML file optimizes content for viewing in a Web Browser.
- ePub
- An ePub file allows for users to view the file on an eReader or reading application.
- Electronic Braille
- An Electronic Braille file is designed for viewing on Braille notetakers, electronic Braille machines, and Braille e-readers.
- MP3 Audio
- Audio file for students to listen to content.
- BeeLine Reader
- The BeeLine Reader uses color gradients to facilitate the reading process.
- Immersive Reader
- The Immersive Reader helps improve reading comprehension and grammar skills and provides a distraction-reduced reading view.
Alternative Formats Video and Resources
While the student view of Blackboard Learn does not show Ally indicators or the full menu of options to edit items and content, it does include the Alternative formats button next to each file in the course. It may be a good idea to alert your students to this option in the description of your attached files, such as "Click the drop down menu next to this file for alternative versions."
You may also view this help guide for Downloading Alternative Formats to provide in your course. Note that students must agree to the Terms of Use before downloading alternative formats.