Blackboard Ally for Students

Blackboard Ally creates alternative formats such as readable text for screen readers, pictures with captions. Ally is embedded within your online course so it’s available right were you need it.

Quick Start

Ally creates alternative formats for content items in your Blackboard courses. Alternative formats are available for the following content types:

  • PDF files
  • Microsoft Word files
  • Microsoft Powerpoint files
  • Uploaded HTML files
  • Content created in the LMS editor

Look for the alternative formats download icon:

Blackboard Ally Download alternative formats button

The icon will appear next to content files as in the example below:

Depiction of the alternative formats UI element

Or, if you are using the Blackboard app on a mobile device:

Depiction of the menu for alternative format downloads in iOS

How to download alternative formats:

Ally generates alternative formats on demand, usually in 1 – 2 minutes. As soon as the alternative format is generated, it is downloaded to your device.