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Description
Ally creates multiple alternative files from the original documents in your course. You can download these alternative formats anywhere that files are used.
Please visit the Ally service request page if assistance is needed.
Article Contents
Instructions
Getting Started
Your instructor probably has many different files uploaded in your course. Ally creates alternative formats for those files. You can download the alternative formats anywhere that files are used. Just choose the version that is best for your needs!
Once logged in to your course, find the file that you want and select the Alternative formats icon to the right of the file.
You can also find the alternative formats download button below the content once you've selected the file.
Choose the format you wish to download. You don't have to pick just one! Use as many formats as you want.
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Alternative Format Options
OCRed PDF
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The OCR PDF alternatives are created when the original file is PDF of an image. OCR technology analyses the document and converts the image into searchable text.
NOTE: The conversion is only as good as the quality of the original file. If the file is difficult to analyze, there may be mistakes.
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.
HTML
What is Semantic HTML? Tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—are added to add meaning to a page. It aids screen reader users with good content structure.
Semantic HTML is viewed in a browser and adapts to the device you are viewing it on.
ePub
The ePub alternative creates a digital publishing file that can be viewed on our mobile devices. ePub files are reflowable. This means that the content displayed automatically adapts to the device it is viewed on.
Here are a few suggested apps for ePubs.
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.
Audio
The audio alternative reads aloud the text in the original file. 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.
Ally detects the language of the original content and selects a matching language for the audio file. If you want the original content in a different language, try the Translated Version format.
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.
Example: BeeLine Bright
Example: BeeLine Night
HTML
What is Semantic HTML? Tags and elements—such as blockquote, paragraph, and headings—are added to add meaning to a page. It aids screen reader users with good content structure.
Semantic HTML is viewed in a browser and adapts to the device you are viewing it on.
Immersive Reader
This option streamlines web content, removing distractions and allowing the viewer to adjust text preferences for better reading. Benefits include improved comprehension, translation support in over 70 languages, and tools for learners with dyslexia or learning differences. Translation feature also allows for all on-screen content to be read aloud in the selected language.
View a step-by-step video on Ally: Immersive Reader.
Translated Version
This alternative format provides a machine-translated version of the instructor’s original into a choice of over 75 different languages and supports PDF, Word, Powerpoint and HTML documents. Also see Immersive Reader for options to have content read aloud in another language.
View a step-by-step video on Ally: Translated Version.
NOTE: 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.
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Additional Resources