With help from faculty participating in our pilot program, we have developed a resource on the NICC News Hub site to provide just-in-time support as you become more familiar with Ally and accessibility best practices (Faculty Note: You will need to self-enroll the first time in order to participate):  Click here to visit Accessibility 101.

Accessible Content is Better Content, NICC courses are full of diverse students with unique learning abilities. Providing them with more accessible original content and multiple formats, such as HTML for improved reading on mobile devices, Electronic Braille for use with assistive technology, and Audio for learning on the go, means they can choose how they interact with your course materials. 

Currently, Ally checks the following types of files for common accessibility issues:

• PDF files

• Microsoft Word files

• Microsoft PowerPoint® files

• OpenOffice/LibreOffice files

• Uploaded HTML files

• Image files (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BPM, TIFF)

• Pages created within Brightspace

Looking for course content that fits your learning needs, fits your busy schedule, and that can be accessed on your device of choice? The Alternative Formats function in Ally is here to help by generating multiple downloadable file formats for each piece of content in your Brightspace course shell. To access the different file types, simply click the Alternative Formats icon (capital A with a down arrow) to the right of the original file, choose your preferred format, and click the Download button. Depending on file size it may take a few minutes to download. Please note, the quality of the alternative formats is highly dependent on the quality of the original file, so check the original file if something doesn't look right.

The readability of course materials can affect your comprehension and study practices. If you notice the original course file is a scanned PDF that you can’t highlight, copy-paste, or keyword search, try the OCRed PDF for an editable and easier-to-read document. Or if the font of the original file is hard to read, download an ePub copy that allows you to customize the font and contrast in your favorite ePub reader.

Did you know when you engage different senses - like reading a text and listening to a text - that you activate different parts of your brain, which can enhance your understanding? Try reading the Tagged PDF first and then listening to the Audio MP3 for review. Or, if you are struggling to understand the text, you might try listening and reading at the same time.

With your busy schedule, maximizing your time on task and study opportunities can help with reaching your learning goals. Download the HTML version to use on your mobile device, this content is responsive to your screen size and allows quick convenient access whenever you find a moment of downtime. You can also listen to the Audio MP3 when on the go or just working around your dorm, house, or apartment.

Think about the best format for your learning context and objectives, and include multiple formats in your study process. Keep a journal of the formats you use leading up to an exam, paper, or other assignments to discover your preferred methods of interaction with course content. For more information on Ally's alternative formats, check out: https://tinyurl.com/AltFormatsStudents opens in a new window