Tip: In the print view, use your browser’s Print command (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P).

Tip 1: Show students Ally Alternative Formats

Why this helps

Students can access readings in formats like audio, HTML, or ePub, which may support different learning preferences, devices, and accessibility needs.

Quick steps

1. In your course, locate a file that shows the Ally download option for students.
2. Add a short note in your syllabus, Start Here area, or an announcement, for example:
   Alternative formats are available for many course files.
   Look for the Ally download option next to readings.These formats are generated automatically and are optional for students to use. Format variations may include HTML, ePub, audio, pdf, etc.
3. Optional: In Student Preview, open the download menu once so you can describe what students will see.

Tip 2: Check the Ally indicator next to one file

Why this helps
The indicator quickly shows which files may benefit from an update.

Quick steps

1. Go to Course Content.
2. Find one file with a lower Ally score (yellow or red indicator).
3. Click the indicator to see what’s flagged and what fixes are quick wins (for example, missing alt text or document titles).
4. Choose one issue to address now.

👉 You don’t need to fix everything you see — this is just a starting point.

Tip 3: Run the Course Accessibility Report (baseline snapshot)

Why this helps
This provides a course-wide snapshot and helps you choose one high-impact fix to start with.

Quick steps

1. Open your course.
2. From Details & Actions, select View course & institution tools (sometimes labeled Books & Tools).
3. Open the Accessibility Report.
4. Review Easiest issues to fix and Low scoring content, then pick one item.

Tip 4: Fix one item using Ally guidance

Why this helps
Ally’s guidance points you to the exact issue and suggests a practical fix you can complete right away.

Quick steps

1. From the Accessibility Report (or a file’s Ally indicator), open one item with a low score.
2. Follow the step-by-step guidance (common quick wins: missing alt text, unclear document title).
3. Save the update and confirm the score changes.

Tip 5: Add headings in one Ultra document

Why this helps
Headings make content easier to scan and navigate—especially for screen readers and mobile viewing.

Quick steps

1. Open an Ultra document.
2. Select a section title and apply Heading 2.
3. Use Heading 2 for other main sections; use normal text for paragraphs.

Tip 6: Add alt text to one meaningful image

Why this helps
Alt text ensures students who can’t see an image still get the key information.
Alt text does not need to be perfect - focus on what you want students to understand from the image.

Quick steps

1. Choose an image that adds information (instructions, diagram, chart, screenshot).
2. Add a brief description that communicates the main takeaway of the image.
3. If it’s only decorative, mark it decorative instead of writing alt text.

Alt text examples

• "Screenshot showing where to find the Accessibility Report under Books & Tools."
• "Chart comparing two results: Section A increases while Section B stays flat."

Tip 7: Replace “click here” once

Why this helps
Descriptive links are easier to understand out of context (including when read by a screen reader).

Quick steps

1. Find one “click here” link in a document, item description, or announcement.
2. Replace it with a descriptive phrase, for example:
   • Read the Accessibility Report instructions
   • Watch the webinar recording
   • Open the weekly module checklist

Tip 8: Preview Ally Alternative Formats in Student Preview

Why this helps
Seeing the download options students see makes it easier to explain and recommend alternative formats when helpful.

Quick steps

1. Open Student Preview in your Ultra course.
2. Locate a reading with the Ally download option and open the menu.
3. View one format (for example, HTML or ePub).

Tip 9: Review one PDF flagged by Ally

Why this helps
Ally can quickly identify common PDF issues (often scanned PDFs or PDFs missing structure).

Quick steps

1. Find a PDF with a lower Ally score in Course Content. An example is below:
2. Open the Ally indicator to read the issue summary.
3. Choose one next step: fix, replace, or export a new accessible PDF from the original file.

Tip 10: Improve one scanned PDF

Why this helps
Scanned PDFs may not be readable by assistive technology unless the text is recognized. This is called Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

Quick steps

1. Open a PDF flagged as scanned (from the Ally indicator or the Accessibility Report).
2. If available, try Ally’s OCR option to make the text readable.
3. If you have the original Word or PowerPoint file, replace the scanned PDF with a newly exported accessible version (this usually works better than OCR).

Tip: OCR improves access, but replacing a scan with the original editable file usually produces better results.

Tip 11: Create an accessible PDF from Word or PowerPoint

Why this helps
Using headings and alt text before exporting often results in a more accessible PDF.

Quick steps

1. Open the original Word or PowerPoint file.
2. Use headings (Word) or built-in slide layouts (PowerPoint).
3. Add alt text to meaningful images.
4. Export/Save As PDF and upload the updated file.

Tip 12: Review one PowerPoint slide deck

Why this helps
Using built-in slide layouts and clear text structure improves readability and accessibility.

Quick steps

1. Open one slide deck you share with students.
2. Use built-in slide layouts (avoid manually placed text boxes when possible).
3. Keep slide titles and text short and scannable.
4. Save and re-upload the updated file.

Tip 13: Add headers to one data table

Why this helps
Row and column headers help screen readers interpret tables accurately.

Quick steps

1. Open one table in a document or page.
2. Mark the top row as a header row (and/or the first column as a header column, if appropriate).
3. Avoid merged cells when possible.

Tip 14: Confirm captions or transcripts for one video

Why this helps
Captions support comprehension for many students and make video content searchable.

Quick steps

1. Identify one video used in your course.
2. Confirm captions (or a transcript) are available and reasonably accurate.
3. If you use Video Studio, review and edit the transcript if needed.

Tip 15: Replace one scanned file (if you have the original)

Why this helps
Replacing a scanned document with the original Word or PowerPoint file can improve accessibility faster than fixing a scan.

Quick steps

1. Locate the original Word or PowerPoint file (if available).
2. Make quick improvements (headings, slide layouts, alt text).
3. Upload the updated file and remove or hide the scanned copy.

Tip 16: Add a short accessibility note to your course

Why this helps
It sets a tone of partnership. Students are more likely to reach out early if they know you are proactive about access.

Quick steps

1. Add a short note in your Start Here area, syllabus, or a pinned announcement.
2. Include how students should reach out to you if they encounter a barrier.
   Example accessibility note
   Alternative formats are available for many course files via the Ally icon. If you encounter access barriers or have questions, please contact me or visit office hours so we can problem-solve together.

Tip 17: Preview your course using Student Preview

Why this helps
The student view reveals "clutter" and confusing navigation that is often hidden in the faculty edit view.

Quick steps

1. Open Student Preview.
2. Try to find a specific assignment. If it takes more than three clicks, consider flattening your folder structure.
3. Note one small navigation improvement (clearer label or more direct path).

Tip 18: Use clear, descriptive titles for one item

Why this helps
“Document 1” or “Slides” provides no context for screen readers or mobile users scanning a list of items.

Quick steps

1. Find an item with a generic title (for example, “Syllabus” or “Instructions”).
2. Rename it to reflect the topic and format (for example, “[Syllabus] Fall 2025” or “[Instructions] Case Study 1”).

Tip 19: Create a weekly “To-Do” list

Why this helps
Checklists support executive functioning and organization, making weekly expectations clearer.

Quick steps

1. At the top of a Module, add an Ultra Document titled Weekly Checklist.
2. Add 3–5 bullet points using the built-in bullet tool (not manual hyphens).

Tip 20: Make one accessibility fix while editing

Why this helps
Fixing small issues as you revise content prevents accessibility work from becoming a daunting "end-of-semester" project.

Quick steps

1. When updating an announcement or assignment description, scan for long paragraphs or unclear links.
2. Fix one item (add a heading or clarify a link) while you are already editing.

Tip 21: Share one accessibility win

Why this helps
Noticing and sharing small successes reinforces that accessibility work is manageable and worth continuing. It also helps other faculty see what’s working in real courses. Momentum is psychological.

Quick steps

1. Identify one small improvement you made (for example, adding headings, fixing a PDF, improving link text, or checking captions).
2. Make a quick note about what changed and why it helped students.
3. Optional: Share that tip or example with a colleague, department, or teaching group so others can try it too.

Tip 22: Break up one long block of text

Why this helps
Shorter paragraphs and lists improve readability on mobile devices and reduce cognitive load for all users.

Quick steps

1. Open an announcement or document with a long paragraph.
2. Break the text into shorter chunks (2-4 lines) or a bulleted list.
3. Add a brief heading to clarify the new sections.

Tip 23: Use headings consistently on a longer page

Why this helps
Consistent heading structure helps students scan and navigate content.

Quick steps

1. Open one longer Ultra Document or page.
2. Use Heading 2 for major sections and Heading 3 for sub-sections.
3. Avoid using bold as a substitute for headings.

Tip 24: Simplify formatting in one uploaded document

Why this helps
Reducing complex layouts or excessive styling can improve readability and reduce accessibility issues.

Quick steps

1. Open a Word or PowerPoint file you plan to upload.
2. Remove unnecessary columns, text boxes, or decorative formatting.
3. Use built-in styles (headings in Word; slide layouts in PowerPoint).
4. Save and upload the updated file.

Tip 25: Review one assignment description for accessibility

Why this helps
Clear headings, lists, and descriptive links make instructions easier to follow.

Quick steps

1. Open one assignment in your course.
2. Add headings for key sections (for example, Purpose, Steps, Submission, Grading).
3. Convert long paragraphs into short lists when possible.
4. Update one unclear link to be descriptive.

Tip 26: Add alt text to one chart or graph

Why this helps
Students who can’t see the visual can still access the key takeaway.

Quick steps

1. Find a chart or graph used in your course.
2. Add alt text that summarizes the main takeaway (not every data point).
3. If the visual is complex, add a short text summary beneath it.

Tip 27: Check that links make sense out of context

Why this helps
Links should be understandable when read on their own.

Quick steps

1. Scan one page for links that say “here,” “this,” or “more.”
2. Update one link so the text describes the destination (for example, “Download the rubric” or “Read the case study”).
3. Keep link text short and specific.

Tip 28: Use the built-in accessibility checker before uploading

Why this helps
Word and PowerPoint accessibility checkers can catch common issues (missing alt text, headings, reading order) before students see the file.

Quick steps

1. Open your Word or PowerPoint file.
2. Run the built-in Accessibility Checker.
3. Fix one high-impact item it identifies (often alt text or structure).
4. Save and upload the updated version.

Tip 29: Identify one item to revisit later

Why this helps
Flagging items for later review helps keep accessibility work manageable.

Quick steps

1. Choose one item that will take longer to improve.
2. Make a note about what you want to adjust (formatting, captions, replacing a scan, etc.).
3. Revisit when you have dedicated time.

Tip 30: Run the Course Accessibility Report again (check progress)

Why this helps
Comparing your report now with your baseline can help you see how small updates add up over time.

Quick steps

1. Open your course.
2. From Details & Actions, select View course & institution tools (sometimes labeled Books & Tools).
3. Open the Accessibility Report.
4. Note one improvement (an item fixed, a score increase, or fewer low-scoring items).