Increase Course Accessibility with Blackboard Ally

Blackboard Ally is an automated accessibility testing tool, which is a good starting point to begin remediating course content to be more accessible. Automated testing tools are not perfect and do not identify every barrier but will pick up items to start you on your journey. Ally provides built in guidance and support in addition to facilitating students to get alternate formats of your Blackboard content so that the information can be consumed in the mode that works best for them such as audio, PDF, Braille, and ePubs.

Quick Start for Instructors

Ally overview for Instructors (video)

1. Accessibility Score Indicators
2. Instructor Feedback Panel
3. Course Accessibility Report

Starting with Blackboard Ally

Ally overview for Instructors (video)

Overview of alternate formats

1. Course Accessibility Report
2. Accessibility Score Indicators
3. Deeper Dive: Using the Ally instructor feedback panel
   1. Open the feedback panel
   2. Preview the document
   3. Step-by-step guidance
   4. Improving file accessibility (video)

What MC Blackboard Ally data indicated: Some of the more widespread items are lack of heading structure, alt text for images, descriptive link text, and pictures of articles, problems, and notes.

Process: How to Ally to make your courses more accessible

Make an implementation plan:

1. Identify scope – Obtain your Course Accessibility Report
2. Set goals and prioritize – Choose what to fix first
3. Establish a timeline
4. Monitor your progress – Rerun the Course Accessibility Report
5. Celebrate success

About Blackboard Ally Accessibility

Blackboard Ally VPAT (MS Word document)

Instructor Ally Resources

• Instructor FAQ for Ally
• Troubleshooting Ally

Student Ally Resources

• Ally quick start for students
• Student Ally FAQ
• More about alternate formats
• Navigating Alternate Formats