Blackboard Ally: Getting started with alternative accessible formats

Accessibility Blackboard ALLY

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Printable version: Download the Printable version of Getting Started with alternative accessible formats guide.

Video Guide: Watch the following video guide to learn about alternative accessible formats.

Ally File Transformer: Blackboard has made its “Ally File Transformer” tool available for free during the pandemic. You can use this tool to convert any files to an accessible format.

Step by Step Guide Starts here:

Alternative accessible formats for your course documents

The University of Reading is committed to providing you with the best learning experience possible. With this in mind, we have activated Blackboard Ally in your courses. A “grey arrow” icon will be visible next to the content items or attached files in your courses.

Ally is an add-on to Blackboard Learn, which focuses on making digital course content more accessible to all students. You will be able to download your course content in the format that fits best with your learning needs. PDF, HTML, .EPUB and Audio files are now available for most content items.

Follow these three steps to download your course content in various alternative formats:

1. Find a file

Log into your course and find the file you want.

2. Open the file menu

Click on the Alternative formats button to open the alternative format window.

screenshot of the Blackboard Ally alternative formats button

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This screenshot shows the Blackboard Ally icon which gives you access to alternative formats

3. Choose a format

Choose the format, or formats, that best suit your learning needs from the available list of alternative formats and click “Download”.

screenshot of the Download alternative formats screen

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This screenshot shows the available formats in Blackboard Ally

Tip: Which format should I use? You might not see every alternative format in your list of choices to download. The formats generated depend on the original file uploaded by your instructor or course convener. For more information on formats available as well as what each format offers, please visit this page on the Blackboard help site: More on alternative formats (opens in a new window).

Need help? Should you have any questions or experience issues while using ALLY please contact CQSD TEL by logging a ticket through the DTS Self Service Portal.

You may find following guides useful: