Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 07/24/2024
Images without descriptions are one of the most common accessibility issues when looking at online course content. In fact, in the US alone, upwards of one-third of all images identified by Anthology® Ally are fixed by setting the image as decorative without writing an image description. Not only is this a challenge for instructors looking to make their course content more accessible (and may not know where to start), but it represents a major hurdle for learners who may depend on those image descriptions as part of their studies.
Anthology® Ally has incorporated new AI capabilities to help instructors create more accessible digital content in less time. The AI Alternative Text Assistant is a new feature that leverages AI capabilities within the Instructor Feedback Panel to automatically generate suggestions for alternative text for images. Simply select the new “Auto-generate description” button, and Ally’s AI Alternative Text Assistant (powered by Microsoft® Azure AI Vision) analyzes images and proposes possible image descriptions to help inspire the instructor as part of their efforts to improve the content for learners.
Instructors get inspiration while still maintaining full control over the suggested description and can check it for accuracy, all of which remains crucial to Anthology’s “humans in control” approach to AI-driven solutions. This allows them the option to modify and/or approve the suggestion before saving to add it to the related image.
Benefits of using Blackboard Ally’s Alternative Text Suggestions:
- Helping instructors save significant time by streamlining the image description process and making it faster and more efficient
- Enabling institutions to tackle the challenge of inaccessible images by reducing the number of images marked as decorative when alternative text would provide a more accessible experience for learners
Notes:
As part of Anthology’s Trustworthy AI Approach, this feature and underlying service do not utilize any data or information for training or regenerating models to ensure privacy and data integrity to maintain user trust.
This feature represents a significant step forward in empowering instructors to build inclusive learning environments and make digital content more accessible. The AI Alternative Text Assistant is available now and can help you make the most of Ally. Check out these FAQs.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact DESupport@uca.edu.
