{"id":1602,"date":"2026-01-26T16:12:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/?page_id=1602"},"modified":"2026-01-27T15:51:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T23:51:53","slug":"using-alternative-formats-in-ally","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/using-alternative-formats-in-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Alternative Formats with Ally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-bc-sitka-spruce-narrow-content narrow-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-mayflower-blocks-lead lead\">These formats are automatically generated from your instructor\u2019s original file\/course content and are available to all students without requiring documented accommodations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Find Alternative Formats?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>When you select a file (like a PDF, Word document, PowerPoint ) on Canvas, and or access a Canvas course content (Discussions, Announcement and Pages) created by your instructor, you\u2019ll see the Ally Alternative Formats icon (icon image below) next to the name of the file or course content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Select the Alternative Icon image to open a menu of formats you can download.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Download an Alternative Format<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 24%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Locate the file in your course (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the Ally Alternative Formats<strong> icon<\/strong> next to the file name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A pop up will appear with a list of available formats. Select your preferred format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Select <strong>Download.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your chosen file will download directly to your device.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1692\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ally Icon\" class=\"wp-image-1614 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1.jpg 1692w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1-1024x605.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1-768x454.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1-1536x908.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/AllyIcon-1-260x154.jpg 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1692px) 100vw, 1692px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Download an Alternative Format<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Locate the file in your course (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the Ally Alternative Formats <strong>icon<\/strong> next to the file name.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"98\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2-1024x98.png\" alt=\"Ally icon next to file name\" class=\"wp-image-1618 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2-1024x98.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2-300x29.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2-768x73.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2-260x25.png 260w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Ally-icon-next-to-file-name-2.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>A pop up will appear with a list of available formats. Select your preferred format.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-760x1024.png\" alt=\"Alternative Formats Options\" class=\"wp-image-1619 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-760x1024.png 760w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-223x300.png 223w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-768x1034.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-1141x1536.png 1141w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options-129x174.png 129w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-options.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Select <strong>Download.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-760x1024.png\" alt=\"Alternative Formats - Download button\" class=\"wp-image-1620 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-760x1024.png 760w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-223x300.png 223w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-768x1034.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-1141x1536.png 1141w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button-129x174.png 129w, https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/460\/2026\/01\/Alternative-Formats-Download-button.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accessibility Features in Alternative Formats<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>The exact formats may vary depending on the source file, but typically you may see:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tagged PDF<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Screen\u2011reader friendly, Includes headings and structure, Good for assistive technology users<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; HTML Format<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Mobile\u2011friendly, opens in a browser, easy to enlarge text<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ePub<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Works with e\u2011readers and mobile reading apps, Adjustable fonts and colors, Ideal for offline reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Audio (MP3)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Converts text into a spoken audio file, Great for auditory learners, Useful for commuting or multitasking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BeeLine Reader<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Adds color gradients to text, Helps readers maintain focus and track lines, Supports faster reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; OCR\u2019d PDF (if original is a scanned image)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Converts scanned text into selectable, searchable text, Improves readability and accessibility<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Semantic HTML (for better structure)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Clean, simple layout, Extremely compatible with screen readers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Practices for Students<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Try out different formats to see which supports your learning style.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use audio files to reinforce content while reviewing or during downtime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Download ePub formats if you like annotating in e\u2011reader apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose HTML for reading on phones or tablets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Use tagged PDFs if you rely on accessibility software like screen readers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If a format fails to generate:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The original file may be corrupted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The file may be very large or low\u2011quality (e.g., a blurry scan).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>Let your instructor know immediately about the issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do alternative formats change the original file?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>No. They are separate downloads generated from the uploaded file.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do instructors know what formats I download?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>No. Ally does not share individual student download data with instructors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need an accommodation to use these?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>No\u2014Alternative Formats are available to <em>all<\/em> students automatically.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Need Help?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p>If you have questions or need assistance with Ally, contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/bellevuecollege.teamdynamix.com\/TDClient\/2044\/Portal\/Home\/\">Technology Service Desk.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block-wrapper alignstandard\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where to Find Alternative Formats? When you select a file (like a PDF, Word document, PowerPoint ) on Canvas, and or access a Canvas course content (Discussions, Announcement and Pages)&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":203,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1602","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/203"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1602"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1628,"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1602\/revisions\/1628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/elearningstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}