Overview
This guidance will give you an overview of Ally, the Learning Space's accessibility tool and how you can generate alternative formats of files and learning resources to supplement your learning.
Contents
- Video Guide
- What is Ally?
- Ally and alternative formats
- Alternative format types
- Downloading alternative formats
- Accessibility Support
- Further Support
Video Guide
What is Ally?
Ally is the university’s accessibility tool in Learning Space that measures how accessible files and resources are and can generate alternative formats of files and learning resources. Ally is available on every module, course and resource page in Learning Space.
Ally and alternative formats
Ally enables users to download alternative formats created from the original files and resources in Learning Space in formats such as ePub and audio. These formats are autogenerated, they do not require any additional action from teaching staff and are available to download on demand.
Alternative formats can benefit all users, as a supplementary learning resource, regardless of their access needs. Alternative formats present users with a choice of how they wish to engage with resources, such as:
- Having the ability to adjust text, font, and background (Immersive reader).
- Having the ability to listen to text with an adjustable playback speed (Audio).
- Having the ability to highlight content, bookmark and note take (ePub).
Important: Please note that automated alternative formats are considered supplementary learning resources in Learning Space. The converted files are not human-checked or corrected and can contain errors. Digital Learning advises that students do not solely rely on alternative formats when reviewing files or learning resources in Learning Space. Consider alternative formats as supplementary to the original versions of the files or resources on which the alternative formats are generated from.
Alternative format types
In Learning Space, Ally can generate an alternative format for the following: PDF files, Microsoft Word files, Microsoft Powerpoint files and uploaded HTML files.
You can check if a document has an alternative format available by looking out for Ally’s alternative formats icon in the document’s title. The icon is depicted as a black, stylized letter 'A' with a downward facing arrow to the right of it.
By clicking on the ‘Alternative formats’ icon the following options will appear in the menu – Tagged PDF, HTML, ePub, Electronic braille, Audio, BeeLine Reader, Immersive Reader. From there you can choose what alternative format works best for you. The formats are explained below.
Tagged PDF: Structured PDF for improved use with assistive technologies such as screen readers.
HTML: For viewing in web browsers and on mobile devices.
EPub: For reading as an e-book on an iPad and other e-book readers.
Electronic braille: For use on electronic braille displays that work with BRF (Braille Ready Format) files.
Audio: For listening to a resource. Playable on any devices that can play .mp3 files. (100,000 characters limit).
BeeLine Reader: Adds a colour gradient to text to help you read faster and more accurately on screen.
Immersive Reader: – For aiding reading, comprehension, and grammar skills. View the following video to learn more about the Immersive Reader
For detailed information on all alternative formats, view Ally’s Alternative Formats guidance.
Downloading alternative formats
When you click on the Ally alternative formats icon the list of available formats will appear on screen – Tagged PDF, HTML, ePub, Electronic braille, Audio, BeeLine Reader, Immersive Reader.
Simply select your preferred format and click the ‘Download’ button.
By downloading an alternative format Ally assumes you agrees with the ‘Terms of Use’. To view these details, click on the ‘Terms of Use’ above the ‘Download’ button.
Note: Depending on the file size of the original document or resource, alternative formats may occasionally take a few minutes to generate.
Accessibility Support
For specific support with any accessibility requirements that you may have, please contact the accessibility team: accessibility@fxplus.ac.uk or view FX Plus’s Accessibility and inclusion page.
For technical accessibility support, please contact the Digital Learning team: dlsupport@falmouth.ac.uk.
Further Support
For general queries about the Learning Space, students should first contact their module leader or personal tutor. For any other comments or issues within this guide, please contact the Digital Learning Team via dlsupport@falmouth.ac.uk. Alternatively, please refer to the numerous help guides found on our Knowledge Base.
View the Accessibility Statement for all of our support guides.