Summary
As Ally generates multiple accessible formats—like audio, ePub, Immersive Reader, Braille, and translated versions—this article will help students to decide which Alternate Format might work best for them.
Body
Which Alternative Format to use?
Refer to the table to decide which format to use based on your needs.
Your needs
|
Electronic
braille
|
Audio
|
PDF,
OCR
|
PDF,
tagged
|
HTML,
Semantic
|
ePub
|
Translated
Version
|
BeeLine
Reader
|
Adjust text,
font, and
background color
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Adjust audio
playback speed
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Communting
|
|
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|
|
|
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Commuting, driving
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Copy, paste, search
|
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|
Format adapts to
device, responsive
|
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Highlighting, note
taking,
and bookmarking
|
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Mobile device
|
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Offline
|
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Prefer listening
|
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Prefer reading
|
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Print
|
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|
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|
|
|
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Text to speech
with
speed adjustment
|
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Different language
|
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Additional details about some of Ally's Alternate Formats
Audio (mp3)
What is it?
Why use it?
Who is it for?
Audio is a good option if you:
-
are an auditory learner.
-
prefer to listen than read.
-
like to read and listen at the same time.
-
have eye strain when reading.
-
commute and want to read.
-
have a visual impairment.
-
want to adjust the speed of the audio.
How to use it?
OCRed PDF (Optical Character Recognition)
What is it?
Why use it?
Who is it for?
OCR PDF is a good option if you:
How to use it?
Tagged PDF
What is it?
Why use it?
Who is it for?
Tagged PDF is a good option if you:
How to use it?
HTML
What is it?
-
Web-based format with tags and elements (such as blockquote, paragraph, or headings) to add structure to the content.
-
View in a browser and adapt to the mobile device you are using.
Why use it?
-
Ideal when the content has complex layouts.
-
Adapts to screen size, support customization, and is screen-reader friendly.
-
Great for offline use.
Who is it for?
HTML is a good option if you:
-
use a mobile device to read.
-
use a screen reader.
-
want to personalize your reading experience by adjusting font size and background color.
-
like to highlight content, take notes, and bookmark important pages.
How to use it?
ePub
What is it?
Why use it?
-
Allows readers to customize text font & background color, take notes, highlight content, and use text-to-speech.
Who is it for?
ePub is a good option if you:
How to use it?
Electronic Braille
What is it?
Why use it?
-
Supports literacy for Braille users
-
Provides full text formatting, spelling, and punctuation.
Who is it for?
Electronic braille is a good option if you:
How to use it?
BeeLine Reader7
What is it?
Why use it?
-
Increases reading speed
-
Enhances focus.
Who is it for?
BeeLine Reader is a good option if you:
-
have heavy reading loads
-
experience dyslexia, ADHD, or low vision.
-
have difficulties tracking or focusing while reading
-
get tired eyes from reading.
-
commute and find reading in that environment challenging.
How to use it?
Immersive Reader
What is it?
Why use it?
Who is it for?
Immersive Reader is a good option if you:
How to use it?
-
Click on download and immersive reader opens in the Brightspace page.
-
Can also be used on most Microsoft 365 applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Forms...).
More information about the Immersive Reader can be found at this KB article.
Translated Text
What is it?
Why use it?
-
Supports readers understand content that is not in their primary language by translating it in their preferred language.
-
Accuracy varies and depends on the type of language being used in the document. (technical language, complex sentence structure, or local colloquialisms can be difficult to translate)
Who is it for?
Translated Text is a good option if you:
How to use it?
Visit the Ally's Alternative Formats website for more options and up-to-date detailed descriptions.