What is Ally?

Ally is a tool in Canvas that benefits all students by helping to improve the accessibility and usability of course materials. Ally seamlessly integrates into Canvas and automatically checks the accessibility of course content. It provides feedback and step-by-step instructions for how to remediate specific accessibility barriers, and it enables students to access alternative formats of your course content, such as audio recordings and/or translated versions of text documents.

What you'll see in Instructor view

In a Canvas course, Ally displays a small gauge indicator next to each piece of content in a module, or a file added using the Rich Content Editor (such as an image). These indicators are almost exactly like a stop light. When the indicators are dark green, your content is ready to be accessed by students of all abilities. If you see a red or orange indicator, there are elements of the item or its presence in the course that are not accessible and would benefit from attention. Depending on the color of the indicator, Ally provides feedback to guide you toward remediation of the problem it's identified. 

Four gauges shown from left to right: red for needs help, orange for a little better, first green for almost there, finally second green for perfect

Further, each course also has an overall accessibility “score” that is only visible to the instructor and Stan State Canvas administrators. The score is an informational guide only.  It will not be used for personnel or formal course evaluation purposes

Use the Ally Accessibility Report

Each course has access to the Ally Accessibility Report tool.  If not already present, enable it in the course Navigation as you would any other item in that menu.

The Accessibility Report compiles an overview 'snapshot' of the accessibility of the course and highlights areas for improvement.

Sample Ally course report highlighting buttons to begin remediating content.
The Ally Accessibility Report gives an overall percentage score for the course as well as providing easy buttons to begin fixing course items

With the report open, you can begin fixing accessibility issues with course content.   Click one of the Start buttons to begin fixing your content. The next page will list all the items that need to have accessibility addressed.  Click on an item and Ally will explain what is wrong with the item and walk you through how to fix it.  OAT recommends starting with the items in the "easiest issues to fix" area.

Need help fixing your content?

Do you need help making your course content more accessible and wish there was someone who could help? Well, worry no more! OAT's team of remediation experts are available to help make your content accessible for you. Simply submit a work request form, upload the files, and we'll get right on it!

Make your content accessible to all learners

Your class is full of diverse students with unique learning abilities. Providing them with more accessible content means they can choose formats that work best for them: HTML for improved reading on mobile phones, Electronic Braille for the visually impaired, and Audio for learning on the go. Ally automatically scans your original content and performs a series of steps to make them more accessible.

Ally automatically creates these alternative formats for all of your course files and makes them available for you and your students to download. Your original file will not be affected by the alternative formats.

Ally and accessibility support

Contact oatsupport@csustan.edu if you have questions about Ally or need help with making a specific piece of content accessible.

Ally Micro-Learning Documents

Learn about Ally one fix at a time. Walk through accessibility scenarios, and see how Ally feedback helps you improve inclusive learning in your course

Additional Resources

Updated: October 16, 2024