Ally works within your Blackboard courses to provide accessible content in alternative formats that best suits your needs.

Ally for Students in Blackboard Learn

Alternative Formats

Ally automatically generates Alternative formats for course content and makes these available for students to download. This gives you the option to select the format that works best.

In some cases, content might not be available to download in Alternative formats. For example, this may be due to copyright issues or to cater for particular teaching and learning practices.

Ally iconAlternative formats are available in the same location that you access your course content. Access your course and select the Alternative Formats icon  next to the content items or attached files in your course.

Example item

This will then display the alternative formats available to download. Select which format you require and click on download. 

Alternative formats

Alternative formats that are available from Ally include:

  • NEW - Microsoft Immersive Reader
  • OCRed PDF - Automatically extracted text version
  • Tagged PDF - Structured PDF for assistive technology
  • HTML – Specifically for viewing on a browser or mobile
  • ePub – Designed to aid reading on tablets and e-book readers
  • Electronic braille - BRF version for electronic braille displays
  • Audio – an MP3 recording of the text in the file for listening on the go
  • BeeLine Reader – Provides an enhanced version for faster reading

Visit the Blackboard help site for more information on alternative formats.

Note: Ally is only available on opted-in Blackboard courses. If it is not enabled for your course, please contact your Departmental student office or course leader. 

Further guidance

Please see the Blackboard help site for more information on using Ally.