Printable version: Download the Printable version of Getting Started with Alternative accessible formats guide.
Video Guide: Watch following video guide to learn about Alternative accessible formats.
Ally File Transformer: Blackboard has made its “Ally File Transformer” tool available for free during COVID-19 pandemic. Students can use this tool to convert 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.

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”.