Relevant to: faculty, staff, and students
This article contains information considered accurate at the time of publishing. Technology updates, changes in University security practices, policies and procedures may effect the information in this article - updates to articles are scheduled on a periodic basis and will address any required changes.
Introduction
Ally is an automatically enabled feature in Brightspace. This feature takes an original source document, such as a Word document, PDF, or PowerPoint, and automatically converts the file to other formats for students to access.
Ally Alternative Formats
SUNY Empire students can access the following converted format options in Brightspace:
- Tagged PDF
- HTML
- ePub
- Electronic Braille
- Audio
- BeeLine Reader
Accessing Alternative Formats
Students can click on alternative formats using the "A" button next to the content type to see the various formats available for download.
In most cases, students will not need to ask their professor to make these alternative formats available. Once an instructor uploads a source document to Brightspace, Ally will automatically convert that document to other formats that a student can download if they choose, without the instructor needing to take additional steps.
Having Trouble Accessing Alternative Formats?
Note: Instructors do have the option to disable alternative formats for specific documents. If students want or need an alternative format and do not see the automatically converted options available, they should contact their instructor for further guidance. Students with approved reasonable accommodations for alternative formats of course materials may want to contact the Office of Accessibility Resource and Services if they cannot access needed alternative formats.
Benefits of Alternative Formats
Students may benefit from accessing their course materials in alternative formats such as Tagged PDF, HTML, ePub, Electronic Braille, Audio, and BeeLine Reader. With the automatic conversion of documents that occurs in Brightspace through Ally, students can download the file format that best matches their needs. Students may find that a particular document is more easily understandable or accessible to them if they download an alternative format. For example, a student may want to download the audio file of a text-based Word document.
Tagged PDF
Students may want to download a Tagged PDF to have a more structured version of a document. Tagged PDFs help with navigation when using a screen reader.
HTML
Students who are using a mobile device may want to download the HTML version of a document. Students can customize the text and adapt the text to mobile screen size.
ePub
Students may want to download their course document as an ePub file to be read on an e-book reader, such as an iPad. An ePub file format is beneficial for annotating and highlighting. Students may also want to customize font and contrast, and can do so with the ePub format.
Electronic Braille
Students who use an electronic braille display may want to download a braille compatible version of a course document. This file format provides a tactile option for reading course material, and can provide relief from screen readers.
Audio
Students may want to listen to an audio version of a course document by downloading an MP3. This file format may be beneficial for students who want to listen to their course materials on the go, or to supplement their reading of the material for enhanced understanding.
BeeLine Reader
BeeLine Reader format is an enhanced version of the file that can help a student read on screen both faster and with greater focus.
Resources
For more information as well as videos on various alternative formats in Brightspace, visit Ally Help Alternative Formats.
Reference
Material in this article was adopted and remixed from Ultra 2020 Adoption Toolkit Package by Blackboard, licensed under Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0).