Educational Technology Services

Blackboard Ally

Blackboard Ally logo

Blackboard Ally is a tool that helps improve the accessibility of course content.  It is integrated with eLearning, which is UTD's Learning Management System (LMS). The tool is designed and developed in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 > Level AA, and Section 508 standards. A third party regularly audits the software to ensure quality standards are maintained. 

What does Ally do?

For Instructors:

  • It checks new and existing course content for accessibility, and assigns accessibility scores for review. 
  • It provides detailed feedback to help fix identified accessibility issues in course content.   
  • It provides a course accessibility report to check accessibility at the course level. 

For Students:

  • It generates alternative formats for course files, to enable students to download files in formats best suited to their needs. While instructors work on improving files, students are still able to access these Ally-generated alternative formats.

Instructor Resources

  • For support with Ally, faculty can contact ETS through the channels listed on this page.

Student Resources