How Ally Works for Instructors

Ally works seamlessly with Canvas to gauge the accessibility of the content. Here are three ways in which Ally can help you:

  1. Generate alternative formats for students to download
  2. Provide Accessibility Scores
  3. Provide tips on how to improve your accessibility score

 

Generate alternative formats for students to download

Ally creates alternative formats of course files based on the original. These formats are presented along with the original file so students can find everything in one convenient location.

 

alternative formats download alternative formats

 

If, for some reason, you need to disable alternative formats, you can easily do so by selecting the menu beside ‘Download Alternative Formats’.

disable alternative formats for this file

 

Provide Accessibility Scores

Ally measures the accessibility of each attached content file and assigns a score that range from Low to Perfect. Each score is composed of both a numerical number and a colored gauge that reflects the number. Higher the score, fewer the issues.

  • low red gauge

    Low: File is not accessible and needs immediate attention.

  • medium yellow gauge

    Medium: File is somewhat accessible and could use improvement.

  • high green gauge

    High: File is accessible but could be improved.

  • perfect green gauge

    Perfect: File is accessible. No improvement needed.

 

Ally also shows the issues associated with each score and gives a step-by-step guide on how to fix them.

Currently, Ally checks files in these formats:

  • PDF files
  • Microsoft®Word files
  • Microsoft®PowerPoint® files
  • OpenOffice/LibreOffice files
  • Uploaded HTML files
  • Image files (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BPM, TIFF)
  • WYSIWYG/VTBE content

Provide tips on how to improve your accessibility score

Once you know the accessibility score, you can take steps to improve accessibility of your content.  Ally gives you the tools to understand common issues and improve your course files.

Example 1: Accessibility Score for a PDF file due to missing image descriptions:accessibility score on file

When you click on the gauge, Ally gives you the explanation for the score and tips on how to add descriptions.

ally accessibility issues to improve

 

 

 

Example 2:  When the document is missing headings.  Ally will give you tips on how to add headings.

accessibility score no headings accessibility score no headings how to fix

 

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