New Ally pilot project tests tool for accessibility

During spring semester, a group of faculty volunteers will pilot Blackboard Ally, a learning management system plugin focused on making digital content more accessible, in their online courses. Participants will use Ally to scan online class materials, specifically electronic documents, to identify accessibility barriers. They will then revise their materials to incorporate improved accessibility techniques using Ally’s prompts.

Along the way, volunteers will attend product training and accessibility learning sessions facilitated by Blackboard, provide feedback in focus groups, and complete a survey about their experiences.

“We are looking forward to working closely with our faculty to thoroughly test the Ally tool and make sure it is the right fit for the university,” says Megan Wuebker, an instructional designer in IT@UC’s Center for Excellence in eLearning (CEeL). “In turn, this experience will help The Accessibility Network determine how to best support our teaching community with the resources to make them–and ultimately our students–the most successful.”

Are you interested in learning more about accessibility for electronic materials in your classroom? Please visit the Accessibility Network website for articles and resources on eAccessibility. Or, access eAccessibility: An Introduction, a UC course in Blackboard introducing basic eAccessibility concepts (UC login required).

If you have any questions, please contact an Accessibility Network program member at Accessibility.Network@uc.edu.