Overview
Ally is a tool integrated into Bruin Learn that automatically checks the accessibility of course content, including files uploaded by instructors. Ally is available in all sites within Bruin Learn (course, collaboration, development, sandboxes).
Primary Benefits
For Instructors and TAs
- Provide instructors with an accessibility score for their files that indicate how accessible they are, along with information about how to create a more accessible version of the file.
For Students
- Allow students and all course participants to automatically generate “Alternative Formats” of course files and make them available for download.
Pricing
Ally is paid for by the University. It is available to instructors and students at no cost.
Information for Instructors
Ally assigns an accessibility score for files that are uploaded to course sites, which appears as a meter or gauge icon near each document. Instructors can click on the icon to launch a wizard that guides them through the accessibility problems found with that file, and tips on how to fix them.
NOTE: The Ally accessibility icons are only visible to those who have the Teacher, TA, Grader, or Designer roles in a course; anyone who has the Student, Participant, or Observer roles does not see/encounter the icons.
In addition, everyone in the course has access to download alternative formats of course documents, including content created in Bruin Learn, such as Pages and Assignments. Alternative formats include readable text for screen readers, pictures with captions, and easy-to-navigate content. These are available by clicking the Alternative Formats icon that is situated near files and page headings.
Information for Students
Ally creates alternative formats of files and other course content that instructors upload or create in their Bruin Learn course sites. Alternative formats include tagged PDFs, audio, or HTML. Everyone in the course, including students, can download the alternative formats anywhere that files are used in Canvas. For example, HTML formatting offers improved reading on mobile phones, Electronic Braille is ideal for the visually impaired, and audio allows for learning on the go. The alternative formats available to download will vary depending on the original file type. If you do not see an option to download alternative formats, the file may not be an Ally supported content type.
Visit Ally First Steps Guide to help students download alternative accessible formats of their course content.
Additional Resources for Instructors
Support
LTI Scope Definitions
- Campuswide - LTI tools are available in any Bruin Learn course.
- Sub-account - LTI tools have limited availability. These are often requested and funded by specific divisions, departments, or courses. These LTIs can be found by filtering via Status = "Available at a Cost."
LTI Status Definitions
- Requested - Requested tools are in the earliest phases for inclusion in Bruin Learn. This phase includes learning more about the functionality, supplier, costs, support options, existing campus or UC licensing agreements, etc.
- In Review - The LTI tool is undergoing review by multiple stakeholders, including software advisory workgroups, security, accessibility, funding, data use and privacy, and UCLA Purchasing.
- On Hold - The LTI tool process is on hiatus for any number of reasons, including: remediation of accessibility, security, data use and privacy concerns; identifying available funding sources; negotiations with the supplier; re-consideration of the original need, etc.
- Approved - The LTI tool process has been approved and preparation for installation is underway. Prior to availability, post-approval work may include resolving technical integration issues, developing training, etc.
- Available - The LTI tool process is installed and available for general use in Bruin Learn.
- Available at a cost - The LTI tool has been reviewed and approved and is available for purchase by units requiring the functionality the tool provides.
- Contact ASUCLA Bookstore - Publisher-related LTI tools are obtained through the ASUCLA Bookstore.