Ally Product Pulse

# Accessibility

# Ally

July Edition

Katie Grennell, PhD.

Ally Product Pulse: July Edition 😎

It is officially summer! In the Grennell household, I am embracing one of the only viral trends I can actually get behind: creating a '90s summer for my kids. That means fewer screens, more bike rides, sprinkler runs, library trips, popsicles on the porch, and the kind of unstructured adventures that filled so many of our own childhood summers. I expect part of the fun will be watching my kids discover the same simple joys that made summer magical when I was growing up-and getting to live vicariously through them along the way. Ask me again in August whether my Type A mom personality and a '90s summer can peacefully coexist.

While I'm trying to embrace a summer of spontaneity at home, our team is in full planning mode as we prepare for Building Blackboard Together. It's an exciting time for Ally, and much of our energy this month is focused on showcasing recent enhancements, sharing what's next, and connecting with our community of accessibility champions.

Inside this month's issue:

Topic spotlight: Progress on Ally's PDF Auto Tagging Early Adopter Program

Ally User Group Transition Update

New Content

Upcoming Events

Did you Know?

Topic spotlight: Progress on Ally's PDF Auto Tagging Early Adopter Program

One of the initiatives we're most excited about this summer is the launch of the Early Adopter Program for Ally's PDF Auto Tagging feature, the next iteration of PDF Quick Fixes. The program launched on June 11^th with more than 70 institutions participating to gain early access before its general release. These institutions volunteered to help us test the experience in real-world environments, share feedback, and partner with us in shaping the future of PDF accessibility within Ally.

The feedback we've received so far has been both encouraging and constructive. Early Adopters have highlighted areas where the feature is already adding value, while also identifying opportunities for improvement. This kind of candid feedback is exactly why we invest in early adopter programs, and it is playing a key role in shaping the future of the feature.

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback we have received has highlighted the importance of giving users greater control over PDF Auto Tagging results. We're actively exploring options to provide additional flexibility, including the possibility of additional editing options, while preserving the streamlined experience that makes the feature easy to use for instructors. Our goal is to strike the right balance between user control and simplicity.

A sincere thank you to our Early Adopters. Your willingness to test, explore, and share honest feedback is helping shape the future of this feature. As you continue your testing, we encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts and suggestions in our feedback forum: Ally Auto-tagging PDFs Feature Quick Feedback Form.

Ally User Group Transition Update

We're excited to share that the transition from the Ally User Group site on HumHub to the Blackboard Community is now complete! We appreciate your patience and engagement throughout the transition.

If you're new to the Community, be sure to check out our Community Guide to familiarize yourself with the platform and its features: Your Guide to the New Ally Community. A special thank you goes to Andres Trujillo, for his hard work, attention to detail, and meticulous planning, which helped make this transition a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation with all of you in our new Community home!

New Content

Migraine and Headache Awareness Month LinkedIn Post: In recognition of Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, we'd love to hear from you: What formats, accommodations, or strategies have helped you access content when dealing with migraines or chronic headaches? Whether it's audio content, adjustable text settings, reduced screen time, extended deadlines, or something else entirely, share your experience in the comments.

Ally for Instructors: Microlearning for Accessible Teaching Video Series: check out our new video on why PDFs are the woooorst (any Parks & Rec fans here?!). New videos on the PDF Quick Fixes to be added soon!

Western Region Ally User Group Meeting: one June 18^th, we hosted our latest meeting for this newly formed group. This session took on a more informal, office-hours-style format, featuring recent release announcements, a preview of upcoming developments, and an open Q&A where attendees could connect directly with the Ally team. For a rundown of what we covered, visit Highlights from the June 18th Western Region Ally User Group Meeting. Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and shared their questions and insights. As we look to expand and group the group, we’re seeking co-leaders who can lead the group. If you are interested, please fill out the Western Region Ally User Group Volunteer Form.

June’s Ally Office Hours: for those that missed our most recent Ally Office Hours on June 8^th, you can catch up on what we covered with the following content formats:

Inside Ally Office Hours (June 8th, 2026)

Slide Deck for June 8th Ally Office Hours

Recording of June 8th Ally Office Hours

Upcoming Events

Ally Office Hours: Our next office hours are Monday, July 20^th at 11:00am EST. Please note that this office hours meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, July 13^th, but had to be rescheduled due to Building Blackboard Together. Register at: Ally Office Hours Registration Link. Please submit your questions in advance so we can come prepared: Ally Office Hours-Submit your Question (form).

Building Blackboard Together 2026: Much of our focus this month is centered on BbT, and we’re excited to connect with many of you soon! The conference agenda is now live and full of opportunities to learn, share, and collaborate. Be sure to check out the dedicated Accessibility Track, featuring sessions on accessibility, inclusive design, and digital learning experiences. To view the accessibility sessions, visit the agenda, filter by track, and select Accessibility. If you haven't explored the agenda yet, now is a great time to start planning your conference experience: BbT 2026 Conference Agenda.

Did You Know?

Did you know about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program? With Building Blackboard Together less than two weeks away, I have travel on my mind. The Sunflower Program helps travelers with non-visible/non-apparent disabilities discreetly communicate that they may need additional support, patience, or assistance during their journey. The program is recognized by hundreds of airports and dozens of airlines around the world, helping make travel more accessible and inclusive.

If you’re traveling to Dallas for BbT, you’ll be glad to know that both Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field participate in the Hidden Disabilities Program. It's important to note that participation typically requires travelers to register or request a Sunflower lanyard through the airport in advance, so be sure to check your departure and arrival airports' accessibility pages before you travel. To learn more about this amazing program, visit the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program Website.