Alternative Formats For Parents and Community Members

Alternative Formats

Access the information you need, the way you need it.

Have you ever accessed a file that was difficult to read, or you wish came in a different format? Now, if your school uses Anthology Ally, you can download alternative formats directly from the website.

student view of Download alternative formats modal

Alternative formats provide greater opportunity for everyone to access the information they need in the way they need or want it. With alternative formats all students can meet the same learning objectives using resources that are built to target the needs of the individual student. For example, Anthology Ally creates audio and electronic braille alternatives for students with visual impairments.

Alternative formats aren't just for a select group of students. Alternative formats benefit everyone. For example, maybe you have a lot of course material to read and get eye strain, or maybe you’re an auditory learner. Listen to an audio format of the file your instructor uploaded instead.

Don’t stick to just one format! Use as many formats as you want. For example, if the content isn’t in your first language, you could follow along in the ePub as you listen to the audio file. All from the comfort of your favorite coffee shop or study corner.

Choose the format, or formats, that best suit your learning needs.

By downloading an alternative format, you agree with the terms of service. Select the Terms of Use link in the download panel to learn more.

Find Alternative Formats WCM

Find the available alternative formats

After files are attached to a site, Ally creates alternative formats of the file based on the original. For example, if the original file is a PDF, Ally creates audio, electronic braille, and ePub formats of the same content. These formats are made available with the original file so everything is in one convenient location.

The alternative formats created depend on the original file type. If you don't see an option to download alternative formats, Ally isn’t enabled for that website or the file is not a supported content type.

Find a file on the website and select the Alternative formats download icon beside it. Choose the version that is best for your needs!

Alternative Format Guide

Which format should I use?

Not sure what format to download? Let us help you decide. This table shows at-a-glance the best formats for your different needs.

You might not see every alternative format in your list of choices to download. The formats generated depend on the original content type.

Alternative format benefits
Your needs	Electronic braille	Audio	PDF, OCR	PDF, Tagged	HTML, Semantic	ePub	Translated Version	BeeLine Reader
Adjust text, font, and background color
Adjust audio playback speed
Commuting
Commuting, driving
Copy, paste, and search
Format adapts to device, responsive
Highlighting, note taking, and bookmarking
Mobile device
Offline
Prefer listening
Prefer reading
Print
Text to speech with speed adjustment
Different language

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.

Audio formats fail, if the original document contains more than 100,000 characters.

Why use audio?

Not only does audio benefit individuals with visual impairments, research has also proven that audio can increase learning (Boyle et al., 2003).

Maybe these sound like you. If so, audio is a good option.

You prefer to listen than read.
You’re an auditory learner.
You want to read and listen to the content at the same time.
You have a lot of material to read and find your eyes get tired.
You read on your commute.
You don’t want to, or can’t, carry print materials for any length of time.
You have a visual impairment.
You want to adjust the speed of the audio.
Most players allow you to adjust playback speed. For example, Windows Media player, VIC, Audacity, and iTunes.

Audio language

Ally detects the language of the original content and selects a matching language for the audio format file. If you want the original content in a different language, try the Translated Version format.

These are the languages available:

Arabic female
Chinese, Mandarin female
Danish female
Dutch female
English (US) female
English (UK) female
English (Australian) male
English (New Zealand) female
English (Indian) female
English (South African) female
English (Welsh) male
French female
French (Canadian) female
German male
Hindi female
Icelandic female
Italian female
Japanese male
Korean female
Norwegian (bokmaal) female
Polish female
Portuguese (Brazilian) female
Portuguese (Portugal) female
Romanian female
Russian female
Spanish (European) male
Spanish (American) female
Spanish (Mexican) female
Swedish female
Turkish female
Welsh female

Electronic braille

The electronic braille alternative creates a BRF file that can be read on a refreshable Braille display (RBD), other Braille reading devices, or within a Braille software like Duxbury.

Think of a Refreshable Braille Display (RBD) as a monitor-less computer. Most RBDs can connect to internet, create documents, access calendar, and a lot of the basic functionality a computer provides. RBDs can be a standalone device. They can also be connected to a smartphone, iPad, or laptop. Most RBDs are limited to reading one line of Braille at a time.

Watch these videos to learn more.

Why use electronic braille?

While audio is excellent for reading comprehension, those who read braille acquire higher literacy rates on average (Benefits of braille article). With braille, users with visual impairments can know the spelling, punctuation, and format of text on a page.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, electronic braille is a good option.

You have a visual impairment.
You are familiar with braille.
You prefer to read.
You want to read and listen to the content at the same time.

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

Why use ePub?

ePub is powerful. With it, readers can take notes, highlight content, adjust text and background, and in some cases use text-to-speech.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, ePub is a good option.

You want to adjust font size and background color.
You want to highlight content, take notes, and bookmark important pages.
You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
You prefer to read.
You read on your commute.

Semantic HTML

What is Semantic HTML? Tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—are added to add meaning to a page. These tag 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.

Semantic HTML is available offline on your mobile device, if you don't close your browser.

Why use Semantic HTML?

Semantic HTML is ideal when the content has complex layouts.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, Semantic HTML is a good option.

You want to adjust font size and background color.
You want to highlight content, take notes, and bookmark important pages.
You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
You prefer to read.
You use a screen reader.

OCR PDF

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The OCR PDF alternatives are created when the original content is a PDF of an image. OCR technology analyses the content and converts the image into searchable text.

The conversion is only as good as the quality of the original content. If the content is difficult to analyze, there may be mistakes.

Why use OCR PDF?

Maybe these sound like you. If so, OCR PDF is a good option.

You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
You prefer to read.
You read on your commute.
You use a screen reader.

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.

Why use Tagged PDF?

Maybe these sound like you. If so, Tagged PDF is a good option.

You want to be able to copy, paste, and search text.
You want to use text-to-speech and adjust the speed of the speech.
You prefer to read.
You read on your commute.
You use a screen reader.

Translated Version FAQs

Translated Version alternative format

This alternative format provides a machine-translated version of the original content into multiple languages (see full list below). PDF, Word, Powerpoint, and HTML documents are supported.

Accuracy varies and depends on the type of language being used in the document. For example, if there is a lot of technical language, complex sentence structure, and local colloquialisms.

Why use the Translated Version alternative format?

The Translated Version alternative format is great for content that is not in your primary language. The Translated Version is an ideal resource to compare with the original document when you are stuck or having trouble comprehending.

In what languages is the Translated Version alternative format available?

The Translated Version is currently available in the following languages:

Afrikaans
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Bengali
Bosnian - Latin
Bulgarian
Catalan
Chinese - Simplified
Chinese - Traditional
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dari
Dutch
English
Estonian
Finnish
French
French (Canada)
Georgian
German
Greek, Modern
Gujarati
Haitian
Hausa
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Kannada
Kazakh
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Malayalam
Maltese
Mongolian
Norwegian Bokmål
Pashto
Persian (Farsi)
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian - Latin
Sinhala
Slovak
Slovenian
Somali
Spanish
Spanish (Mexico)
Swahili
Swedish
Tagalog
Tamil
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Welsh

Support for the following languages within the Translated Version alternative format is not available:

Bosnian (Cyrillic)
Serbian (Cyrillic)

Ally BeeLine Reader

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.

Why use BeeLine Reader?

BeeLine Reader's color gradient technique not only increases reading speed but also enhances focus. BeeLine Reader is popular among undergraduate and graduate students with heavy reading loads. This includes programs like law, medicine, and the humanities. BeeLine Reader's approach also benefits people with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, and anybody who may have difficulty with visual tracking or focus.

Maybe these sound like you. If so, BeeLine Reader is a good option.