Tag Archives: ally

Blackboard Ally: The File Transformer and new BeeLine Reader format

Posted on by

Blackboard Ally has released some new tools to help faculty and students better access digital content.

File Transformer

As schools have made the sudden transition to online learning, Ally has released the new File Transformer. The File transformer website will be available for a limited time during the COVID-19 crisis and will allow you to quickly convert files to alternate formats outside of myLesley.

Faculty and students can upload a file and download it into an alternative format designed to better fit your needs, devices, and learning preferences.

  • OCRed PDF: Makes scanned documents searchable, more readable, and accessible to users on a screen reader
  • Tagged PDF: Improves use with assistive technology
  • Audio: MP3 version for listening on a computer or mobile device
  • HTML: Mobile-friendly version for reading in browsers or mobile devices
  • Electronic Braille: BRF version for tactile reading on electronic braille displays, other braille reading devices, or within braille software
  • ePUB: For reading and annotating on mobile devices or e-book readers 
  • BeeLine Reader: Enhanced version for faster and more focused on-screen reading

Go to the File Transformer website to get started.

Introducing BeeLine Reader

BeeLine Reader is designed to make reading on a screen easier and faster. Instead of using plain black text, BeeLine Reader displays text using a subtle color gradient, helping to pull your eye through your reading. It not only increases reading speed, but also enhances focus, benefiting students with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, and anybody who may have difficulty with visual tracking or focus.

Video: The Beeline Reader Alternative Format shows you how easy it is to download course files in the BeeLine Reader format.

Introducing the Ally Course Accessibility Report

Posted on by

Blackboard Ally has released a new instructor course accessibility report. This report allows you to see the big picture as well as specific details about the accessibility of your course content.

What is the Ally Course Accessibility Report?

When you create or upload content into your myLesley course, Blackboard Ally automatically checks your content for accessibility. Ally checks to make sure that PDFs are readable and not scanned images, images have alternative text, tables contain headers, headings are used correctly, text has sufficient contrast, and more.

The Ally Course Accessibility Report collects all of this data and presents it in a visual dashboard. The report shows you an overall accessibility score for your course, details the different types of content in your course, and shows you which content needs your attention.

Image of a sample course accessibility report, detailing the overall accessibility,
Sample Ally Course Accessibility Report

When you click on an item in the Course Accessibility Report, Ally will explain the accessibility issue with the content item and walk you through the steps to fix it.

How Do I Get Started?

Ready to check your course’s accessibility and start working on fixing your accessibility issues?

Go to your Course Control Panel, select Course Tools, and select Accessibility Report.

course control panel

Once the Course Accessibility Report loads, you will see an overall accessibility score for your course. Scores range from Low (red icon) to Perfect (green icon). The higher your score, the fewer the issues.

sample Ally course accessibility score: 68%
ally low score indicator

Low (0-33%): Course content is not accessible and needs immediate attention.

Ally medium score indicator

Medium (34-66%): Course content is somewhat accessible and could use improvement.

ally high score indicator

High (67-99%): Course content is accessible but could be improved.

ally perfect score indicator

Perfect (100%): Course content is accessible. No improvement needed.

Not sure where to start fixing content? Ally makes it easy by showing you the content that’s easiest to fix as well as the content with the lowest accessibility scores.

Ally report showing the content easiest to fix and lowest scoring content

Don’t have a lot of time? Start with the easiest issues to fix. These are usually quick fixes, such as images that don’t have alternative text. These little fixes can do a lot to improve the overall accessibility of your course.

More Information

For more information on accessibility:

If you need assistance using the Course Accessibility Report, interpreting your accessibility score, or making your content accessible, reach out to elis@lesley.edu.

Ally Update: Preview Documents in Your Browser

Posted on by

Ally’s latest update will now show in-browser previews for PDF’s, Word documents, and Powerpoint presentations.

What does this mean?

Previously, when you clicked on the Ally gauge to view your document’s accessibility score and list of any accessibility issues, you only saw an icon for the document in the main window. Now, Ally will allow you to view your document right in the browser and highlight where the specific accessibility issues are. No more guessing.

Sample accessibility score with issues highlighted

Highlights are currently provided for:

  • Images without an appropriate alternative description
  • Text fragments with insufficient contrast
  • Tables without table headings

It’s now much easier to identify the issue and then fix it. View the video below to see it in action.
(Note: the video does not have any sound.)