On 10 November, the Learning Technology Team hosted Fix Your Content Day, inviting colleagues to set aside some dedicated time to improve the accessibility and quality of content within their NILE modules.
The event focused on using Blackboard Ally’s Course Accessibility Report to identify common issues and tackle straightforward improvements that could make learning materials more accessible for students. Rather than attempting a complete module redesign, the aim was to make steady progress through practical, manageable changes.
One colleague who took part was Marie Alty, Lecturer in Work Based Learning, School of Professional Business Education. Using the guidance from the event, Marie began by working through some of the issues that Ally had identified as the easiest to fix.
“I followed the instructions for fixing the content with issues that were easiest to fix, which were mainly things like Word document formatting, tables without headers and PowerPoint slides with images that had no alternative text.”
These are among the most common accessibility issues found within online learning materials. While they may seem minor individually, they can create barriers for students, particularly those using assistive technologies. Improvements such as correctly structured documents, accessible tables and alternative text all contribute to a more inclusive learning environment.
One feature that especially stood out to Marie was Ally’s AI-powered alternative text generator.
“I tried out the AI alternative text generator which was very quick and easy to use and surprisingly accurate!”
Alternative text helps students who use screen readers understand the purpose and content of images. Writing descriptions manually can sometimes feel like a time-consuming task, particularly in image-rich presentations, so tools that help streamline the process can make accessibility improvements easier to achieve.
Marie also found value in another area highlighted by the accessibility report.
“The other issues it identified were broken website links which is very helpful.”
Broken links are often difficult to spot during routine module maintenance and may only become apparent when a student reports a problem. Being able to identify and correct them before teaching begins helps ensure students can access the resources they need when they need them.
Like many colleagues, Marie found that time was the biggest challenge.
“I had not finished making the recommended changes yet and I will use it again on other NILE sites, ideally before the modules start so that it picks up these issues before teaching begins.”
This highlights an important message from Fix Your Content Day: improving accessibility is often about progress rather than perfection. Even a relatively short period of focused attention can reveal valuable opportunities to enhance the student experience. The Accessibility Report helps colleagues identify issues, prioritise improvements and tackle them at a pace that fits around other responsibilities.
From improving document formatting and adding alternative text to identifying broken links, Marie’s experience demonstrates how Blackboard Ally can support colleagues in making practical improvements that benefit students. While accessibility is an ongoing process, taking time to address a few key issues today can make a meaningful difference when students access their module content tomorrow.
Want to Improve the Accessibility of Your NILE Sites?
Blackboard Ally’s Course Accessibility Report is a great place to start. It can help you identify issues such as inaccessible documents, missing alternative text, broken links and other opportunities to improve the student experience.
Take a look at the Ally Course Accessibility Report to see where you could make quick improvements to your module content. If you’d like support interpreting the report or prioritising improvements, get in touch with your Learning Technologist, who can help you make your NILE content more accessible, inclusive and effective for all students.