Using Ally: Enhancing ADA Accessibility in Canvas
What is Ally Accessibility Checker for Canvas?
Why FAU Uses Ally
FAU is committed to ensuring digital accessibility in accordance with federal and state laws, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Ally supports this mission by:
Scanning course content for accessibility issues.
Providing instructors with feedback and remediation guidance.
Offering students alternative formats such as HTML, audio, ePub, and electronic braille.
How Ally Works in Canvas
Once a file is uploaded to Canvas, Ally automatically:
Analyzes the content for accessibility issues.
Generates alternative formats for students to download.
Displays accessibility scores using a colored gauge icon.
Provides instructor feedback with step-by-step instructions to improve accessibility.
Accessibility Scores
Each file receives a score based on its accessibility:
Low (0–33%): Severe issues.
Medium (34–66%): Some issues.
High (67–99%): Mostly accessible.
Perfect (100%): No issues detected.
Instructors can click the gauge icon next to a file to view its score and access remediation tips.
Getting Started at FAU
Faculty can begin using Ally by simply uploading content to Canvas. No additional setup is required. For support:
Training & Resources: Register for a Training Session here
Accessibility Support: Contact the Student Accessibility Services at sas@fau.edu
Technical Help: Reach out to OIT Help Desk at help@fau.edu
Tips for Improving Accessibility Prior to Uploading to Canvas
Always run the Microsoft “Accessibility Checker” under the “Review” tab in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. before posting documents.
Use accessible templates for PowerPoint. (COM Templates and FAU templates)
Add alt text to images. Alt text is often as simple as “What would you type into Google to find this image?”
Use unique headings in Word and PowerPoint documents.
Avoid scanned PDFs when possible.
Use attached ADA Checklist for guidance.