{"id":6303,"date":"2022-02-08T12:58:25","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T12:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/?p=6303"},"modified":"2022-02-08T15:39:49","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T15:39:49","slug":"learnzone-accessibility-blackboard-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/2022\/02\/08\/learnzone-accessibility-blackboard-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"LearnZone accessibility – Blackboard Ally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blackboard Ally is an accessibility tool that is integrated into our LearnZone and HE LearnZone sites. Ally provides a raft of tools to help staff ensure their online resources are accessible and the option for students to access these in a variety of formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative formats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Blackboard<\/figure>
\n

Ally automatically creates alternative formats of your course content. These formats are made available with the original content so students can find everything in one convenient location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select the Download<\/em> Alternative formats<\/em> icon (shown on the left) to see the different formats available.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Alternative Formats Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>
\n

Tagged PDF<\/strong>
Structures PDF for improved use with assistive technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTML<\/strong>
For viewing in a browser on a PC or mobile device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ePub<\/strong>
For reading as an ebook on ebook readers such as kindle and Kobi, in addition to most mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electronic braille<\/strong>
BRF version for electronic braille displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audio<\/strong>
An MP3 version for listening to content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BeeLine Reader<\/strong>
Enhanced version for easier and faster on-screen reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated Version<\/strong>
A machine-translated version of the original content.
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility Scores<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Accessibility<\/figure>
\n

When you log in to Blackboard, you will see accessibility indicators on your content. Ally integrates with Blackboard and provides feedback on the accessibility of your documents and content. You will find the Ally accessibility indicators next to files or content in your course. These accessibility scores are only visible to you and are not visible to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have no course files yet, upload one, and an indicator will appear next to the file name. Click the indicator to read detailed feedback on the accessibility issues with the file, why they matter, and how to fix them. Follow the step-by-step guide to improve the accessibility of your original file. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

View file accessibility issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>
\n

For files with Low<\/em> to High<\/em> scores, selecting the accessibility score<\/strong> icon will open the Instructor Feedback <\/strong>panel. The panel highlights any issues and provides a step-by-step guide on how to fix them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Instructor Feedback panel provides everything you need to understand and fix the accessibility issues in your file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Accessibility score: See the overall score for the entire file.<\/li>
  2. All issues: Select All issues<\/em> to see every issue in the file. This view shows you by how much the score can improve by fixing each issue. Find the issue you want to start fixing and select Fix<\/em>.<\/li>
  3. Description of issue and step-by-step help: See the description for an issue with the file. Select What this means<\/em> to learn more about the issue.<\/li>
  4. Select How to<\/em> and follow the steps to improve the file’s accessibility.<\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Course accessibility report<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Course<\/figure>
    \n

    The course accessibility report can be found on the course dashboard<\/strong> and then select the Accessibility report<\/strong> link.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Accesibility report overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Ally<\/figure>
    \n

    Ally\u2019s course accessibility report includes Overview<\/em> and Content<\/em> tabs so that you can get the big picture as well as specific details about the accessibility of your digital course content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n