Utah Education Network Working on Course Content Accessibility Across the State

In an effort to provide a more inclusive learning environment for students, the Utah Education Network (UEN) has partnered with Blackboard to roll out the company's Ally product at nine universities across the state.

Ally integrates with an institution's learning management system and automatically checks course materials for common accessibility issues, the company explained in a news announcement. It then generates alternative content formats such as Semantic HTML, audio, ePub and electronic Braille. The system offers instructors guidance on improving the accessibility of their course materials, while administrators receive reporting on the state of content accessibility at the course and institutional level.

As an education network for Utah school districts, schools and higher education institutions, UEN provides access to high-speed network services and education resources. Institutions adopting Blackboard Ally through the UEN deal include the University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Snow College, Dixie State University, Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Community College, Mountainland Technical College and Bridgerland Applied Technology College. The schools will also receive Blackboard's implementation and training services as part of the rollout.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Make AI More Personal

    Microsoft has unveiled a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.

  • glowing futuristic laptop with a holographic screen displaying digital text

    New Turnitin Product Brings AI-Powered Tools to Students with Instructor Guardrails

    Academic integrity solution provider Turnitin has introduced Turnitin Clarity, a paid add-on for Turnitin Feedback Studio that provides a composition workspace for students with educator-guided AI assistance, AI-generated writing feedback, visibility into integrity insights, and more.

  • illustration of a futuristic building labeled "AI & Innovation," featuring circuit board patterns and an AI brain motif, surrounded by geometric trees and a simplified sky

    Cal Poly Pomona Launches AI and Innovation Center

    In an effort to advance AI innovation, foster community engagement, and prepare students for careers in STEM fields and business, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has teamed up with AI, cloud, and advisory services provider Avanade to launch a new Avanade AI & Innovation Center.

  • Training the Next Generation of Space Cybersecurity Experts

    CT asked Scott Shackelford, Indiana University professor of law and director of the Ostrom Workshop Program on Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, about the possible emergence of space cybersecurity as a separate field that would support changing practices and foster future space cybersecurity leaders.