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Accessibility Scores

About accessibility scores

Ally checks accessibility for your new and existing course content. To measure accessibility, Ally assigns your content an accessibility score. Each score is composed of both a numerical number and a colored gauge that reflects the number.

Tip

Typically, you'll receive your accessibility score within 15-90 seconds. This may take longer if your content is complex, or if you have a lot of course content and it's being assessed all at once.

Note

Content must be attached in a course to be included in the scoring. If you are using Blackboard LMS, content items in the Content Collection must be attached to a course to be included in the scoring. Any items in the Content Collection that are not attached in a course are ignored.

What content does Ally check?

Currently, Ally checks files in these formats:

  • PDF files

  • Microsoft® Word files

  • Microsoft® PowerPoint® files

  • OpenOffice/LibreOffice files

  • Uploaded HTML files

  • Image files (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF)

  • WYSIWYG/VTBE content

  • YouTubeTM videos embedded in WYSIWYG/VTBE content

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    GoogleTM Privacy Policy

Accessibility scores are determined by the severity of issues in each file. A low score indicates the file has severe or multiple accessibility issues; a high score means there are minor or no accessibility issues. For accessibility scores less than 100 percent, Ally gives you suggestions for improving the accessibility of the file.

Ally Accessibility Score Icons

Scores range from Low to Perfect. The higher the score the fewer the issues.

  • Ally accessibility score gauge showing low: severe accessibility issues present.

    Low (0-33%): Needs help! There are severe accessibility issues.

  • Ally accessibility score gauge showing medium: file is somewhat accessible but needs accessibility improvements.

    Medium (34-66%): A little better. The file is somewhat accessible and needs improvement.

  • Ally accessibility score gauge showing high: file is accessible but further improvements are possible.

    High (67-99%): Almost there. The file is accessible but more improvements are possible.

  • Ally accessibility score gauge showing perfect: no accessibility issues identified.

    Perfect (100%): Perfect! Ally didn't identify any accessibility issues but further improvements may still be possible.

Improve your score

Once you know the accessibility score, you can begin to explore the accessibility issues and improve your content to raise the score. Accessible documents are important for all audiences, and Ally gives you the tools to understand common issues and improve your course files.

Find a content item and select the Accessibility score indicator to view the instructor feedback panel.

An Ally accessibility score gauge with the tooltip text "Accessibility score: Low Click to improve" showing above it.