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Ready-to-Use Communication Resources

Promoting Ally is most effective when students learn about it more than once. While a syllabus statement helps establish awareness at the start of a course, ongoing reminders can encourage students to explore and use Ally’s alternative formats when they need them. These ready-to-use resources can be copied, customized, and shared throughout the semester to help students understand the benefits of Ally and access course content in the formats that work best for them.

Messaging Templates

To support ongoing communication about Ally and alternative formats, this section includes customizable messaging templates that instructors can use in emails or LMS announcements. Any highlighted text within the templates should be customized with the appropriate course, institution, resource, or contact information before sharing with students.

Tip

For any accessibility communication to your students, you can direct them to the student section of our help site, as well as your institution's Ally team if available. Add the following sentence to your messages:

For more information, visit Ally's help site for students or contact <INSERT INFORMATION FOR TEAM AT YOUR INSTITUTION WHO SUPPORTS ALLY>.

Messaging template #1: Discover Ally’s Alternative Formats

<INSERT NAME OF INSTITUTION> has a license for Ally, a digital accessibility tool embedded in <INSERT LMS NAME> that provides students with access to digital course content in alternative formats-no special requests or accommodations required.

Available formats include audio, translated versions, OCR’d and tagged PDFs, HTML, eReader-friendly files, Braille Ready Format, Microsoft Immersive Reader, and BeeLine Reader.

To access alternative formats, select the Alternative Formats icon next to your course content, then choose your preferred format.

Messaging template #2: Need Study Flexibility? Use Ally’s Alternative Formats

Whether you’re reading course materials, completing assignments, or studying for exams, Ally’s Alternative Formats can help you access content in the format that works best for you.

Available directly in <INSERT LMS NAME>, Ally lets you download course materials in a variety of formats to support different learning preferences and accessibility needs, including:

  • Audio files: listen to readings while commuting, exercising, or multitasking

  • Translated versions: read content in your preferred language

  • OCR’d and Tagged PDFs: improve compatibility with screen readers and assistive technology

  • HTML: ideal for smaller screens, with a responsive design that adapts to your device and can be downloaded for offline reading

  • ePub: access course materials in compatible eReader apps and devices, allowing you to customize the reading experience adjustable font sizes, colors, and backgrounds, plus tools to bookmark, highlight, annotate, and search content

  • Braille Ready Format (BRF): access course materials in a format designed for use with refreshable Braille displays for a tactile reading experience, supporting independent reading and navigation

  • Microsoft Immersive Reader: support reading comprehension and focus with read-aloud features, customizable text settings, translation options, and grammar tools that help you better understand content

  • BeeLine Reader: use color gradients to help guide your eyes through digital text

No accommodations, approvals, or special requests are required. Alternative Formats are available to all students. Simply select the Alternative Formats icon next to your course materials and choose the format that works best for you.

Messaging template #3: Start the Semester with Ally’s Alternative Formats

As you begin the semester, did you know that many of your course materials are available in alternative formats through Ally?

Integrated directly into <INSERT LMS NAME>, Ally’s Alternative Formats are available to all students and provide more ways to access and engage with your digital course content based on your learning preferences and needs.

For example, you can listen to content with audio versions, translate materials into another language, customize your reading experience with ePub and Microsoft Immersive Reader, or access content on the go using mobile-friendly formats like HTML.

As you become familiar with your courses, look for the Alternative Formats icon next to your course materials and explore the options available. You may discover a format that helps you read, study, or learn more effectively.

Messaging template #4: Alternative Formats for All Students

Did you know that Ally’s alternative formats are available to all students in  <INSERT LMS NAME>? No accommodations or approvals needed.

While these formats were designed to support accessibility, they can benefit all learners by offering flexible ways to engage with course materials. Everyone learns differently, and Ally gives you multiple ways to access content, helping you choose the formats and tools that work best for you. Whether you want to listen to course materials while on the go, translate content into another language, read on a mobile device, or customize your reading experience, Ally provides options to support your preferences and needs.

And better yet, your use of the Alternative Formats remains anonymous. While Ally collects overall usage statistics to help institutions understand adoption, it does not collect personally identifiable information about which formats individual students download or use.

Messaging template #5: Flexible Study Tools for Finals Season

As the semester comes to a close, balancing final exams, projects, papers, and other deadlines can feel overwhelming. Ally’s Alternative Formats can help by giving you flexible ways to access and engage with your course materials as you prepare for the weeks ahead.

Available to all students in  <INSERT LMS NAME>, Ally offers multiple ways to access course materials:

  • Listen to readings and lecture materials as audio while commuting, exercising, or reviewing notes between classes.

  • Translate course content into another language to support comprehension and review.

  • Use ePub to personalize your reading experience with adjustable text size, fonts, colors, and backgrounds, while taking advantage of built-in tools to highlight, annotate, bookmark, and search content as you review key concepts for exams.

  • Access HTML versions on your phone or tablet for responsive, mobile-friendly reading and offline access when you're studying on the go.

  • Use read-aloud and grammar support tools with Microsoft Immersive Reader to help improve focus and understanding as you review course materials.

  • Use BeeLine Reader to make digital text easier to follow with color gradients that can help maintain focus and reduce eye strain during long reading and study sessions.

Give yourself every opportunity to succeed. Explore the available formats and find new ways to access, review, and engage with course content as you prepare for the end of the semester

Talking Points

These talking points are designed to help instructors become more familiar and comfortable with Ally's Alternative Formats and the benefits they can provide to students. Use them as a starting point for class discussions, course announcements, or informal reminders throughout the semester to help students discover flexible ways to access and engage with course materials. The talking points are organized by theme, making it easy to find relevant messages for different teaching contexts, student needs, and points in the semester.

  • Ally at a Glance: Ally is a tool integrated into <INSERT LMS NAME> that gives students access to alternative formats of digital course content, including audio, HTML, ePub, translated versions, and more. Available to all students, these formats support different learning preferences, study habits, and accessibility needs. To access them, simply select the Alternative Formats icon next to eligible course materials.

  • First Week of the Semester: Before we get started, I want to point out a tool available in <INSERT LMS NAME> called Ally. It allows you to access many digital course materials in alternative formats, such as audio, ePub, translated versions, and more. These options are available to everyone in the course, so feel free to explore them and find what works best for you.

  • Student Autonomy and Choice: One thing I appreciate about Ally is that it puts students in control of how they access course materials. Alternative Formats are available to everyone, so students can explore different options, experiment with what works best, and adapt their approach as their needs change throughout the semester. There's no need to request access, seek approval, or disclose personal information in order to use them.

  • Designed for Accessibility, Beneficial for Everyone: While Alternative Formats were designed to support accessibility, their benefits extend far beyond a single group of students. Whether a student wants to listen to course materials, read on a mobile device, translate content, or customize their reading experience, Ally provides flexible options that can support a wide range of learning preferences and situations.

  • Adjusting your Study Habits: As the semester progresses, it's worth taking a moment to think about whether your current study approach is working for you. If you're having trouble keeping up with readings, staying focused, or finding time to study, consider exploring Ally's Alternative Formats. Sometimes a small change, like listening to content as audio, using reading support tools, or adapting materials to better fit your needs and study habits, can make a meaningful difference.