Ally 1.0 | Release to production 12 April, 2017
Blackboard Learn Integration, New Features, Updated Features
Blackboard Learn 9.1 Integration
Ally is now also available for Blackboard Learn 9.1. The Ally integration was included as a building block in the Blackboard Learn 9.1 Q2 release that was released this week.
Audio Alternative Format
The audio version is now available as an additional alternative format for all PDFs (including scanned), Word, Powerpoint and HTML files.
We would love to get your feedback about the quality of the voice.
Instructor Feedback: Malformed Content
An additional instructor feedback flow has been added for content that can potentially not be opened by all students.
Algorithm improvements
Several improvements have been made to the alternative accessible format generation algorithms. This includes automatically converting all links to clickable links, improved classification of figure text, improved classification of headings, etc.
Instructor Feedback: Headings
A set of new instructor feedback flows has been added for content that does not use headings appropriately.
Instructor Feedback: Tables
A new instructor feedback flow has been made available for content that contains tables without proper table headings.
Fixing multiple issues in a row
At the end of each instructor feedback flow, Ally will now show an appropriate success/failure message, and will provide a seamless way to start fixing the next most significant accessibility issue.
Synchronization improvements
Ally should now also automatically pick up on copied courses or any content that’s imported into a course. We have been working closely with Instructure to add Live Events support for this, and this should result in Ally and Canvas being in synch at all times.
Let us know if you encounter any content items that don’t have an Ally indicator or alternative formats, but should have them.
Accessibility improvements
Following an accessibility review of the Ally user interface by SSB Bart, several accessibility improvements have been implemented. This includes improved keyboard focus management in the instructor feedback, improved accessibility of the radio button labels in the alternative accessible formats modal, etc.