Ally Alternative Format Types
- Mounika Ragula
Ally is a tool that integrates with Canvas courses to provide instructors with insight into their course's accessibility and students quick access to alternative formats for course content items.
Ally alternative formats
Ally provides alternative formats for these content types:
PDF files
Microsoft Word files
Microsoft PowerPoint files
OpenOffice/LibreOffice files
Uploaded HTML files
Content created in the Canvas Rich Content Editor
These alternative formats can be generated:
OCR'd version (for scanned documents)
Tagged PDF (currently for Word, PowerPoint, and OpenOffice/LibreOffice files)
Mobile-friendly HTML
Audio
ePub
Electronic braille
BeeLine Reader
Immersive Reader
More on each alternative format
Audio
The audio alternative reads aloud the text in the original content. This also includes alternative descriptions for images, if they are provided.
The audio format is saved as an MP3. MP3s are compressed, high-quality sound files that can be played on any computer or mobile device.
Note: Audio formats fail if the original document contains more than 200,000 characters.
BeeLine Reader
BeeLine Reader makes reading on screen easier and faster. Instead of using plain black text, BeeLine Reader displays text using a subtle color gradient that helps pull your eye through your readings. This new display format has been honored by the United Nations and is used by readers in 120 countries around the world.
More on the BeeLine Reader website
Braille Ready File
Ally uses Braille Ready File (.brf) as the electronic braille format. The braille code used depends on the document's language. For English documents, Ally uses Grade 2 Unified English Braille (contracted).
The .brf format can be used for both electronic braille displays and braille embossers (printers).
ePub
The ePub alternative creates a digital publishing file that can be viewed on mobile devices. ePub files are reflowable. Reflowable means that the content displayed automatically adapts to the device it is viewed on.
Here are a few suggested apps for ePubs:
Apple: EasyReader, iBooks, Voice Dream, NaturalReader, and Thorium Reader
Android: EasyReader, Lithium, and Voice Aloud Reader
Windows: Calibre, Icecream Ebook Reader, NaturalReader, and Thorium Reader
Linux: Thorium Reader
Immersive Reader
Immersive Reader is an alternative format that provides multiple ways to increase the readability of the material. Learners can change font size and text spacing, convert the text into speech, translate content into multiple languages, and more.
OCR PDF
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The OCR PDF alternative format is created when the original content is a PDF of an image. OCR technology analyses the content and converts the image into searchable text.
Note: The conversion is only as good as the quality of the original content. If the content is difficult to analyze, there may be mistakes.
Semantic HTML
In semantic HTML, tags and elements — such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings — are added to add meaning to a page. These tags and elements aid screen reader users with good content structure.
Semantic HTML is viewed in a browser and adapts to the device you are viewing it on.
Note: Semantic HTML is available offline on your mobile device if you don't close your browser.
Tagged PDF
A Tagged PDF alternative uses tags and elements — such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings — to add meaning to a page. It aids screen reader users with good content structure.