MSRP webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff. 

Click here to Register. All webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length.

Need to boost your course accessibility but short on time? Blackboard’s Ally tool is built right into your course and gives you instant feedback on how to improve content for all students — including those with disabilities. Ally helps create a better learning experience for all students, not just those with disabilities. 

Here’s how to get started:

1. Look for the Colored Meters

Every file you upload in Blackboard, as well as the content you create in Blackboard, gets a small gauge icon next to it. These meters are only visible to you, the instructor, and to the Blackboard system admins. 

Image 1: Ally meters inform you about the accessibility of your content. Low (0-33%): Needs help! There are severe accessibility issues. Medium (34-66%): A little better. The file is somewhat accessible and needs improvement. High (67-99%): Almost there. The file is accessible but more improvements are possible. Perfect (100%): Perfect! Ally didn't identify any accessibility issues but further improvements may still be possible.

Click the meter next to a content item to see what’s wrong and how to fix it. 

2. Use the Ally Course Report

In the right menu of your Ultra course, go to Books & Tools > Ally Course Accessibility Report.

You’ll see:

• An overall course accessibility score
• A breakdown by content type
• A list of issues by severity
  

Start with “Easy issues to fix” or “Low scoring content” to make quick progress. Many times, these may be the same issues, or the easy issues are images that need descriptions so it can be a fast way to improve your course accessibility. 

3. Tackle the Top Three Issues

UMBC’s most common accessibility problems are:

• Images with no alt text. Fixing these issues ensures that screen reader users can understand the purpose of your visuals.
• Scanned PDFs that screen readers can’t interpret. Converting these to accessible documents allows all students to read and interact with your lecture notes and readings.
• Documents with no tags, no headings or poor contrast. Tags, headings and good contrast make it easier for students to navigate and read your materials, especially those with low vision or cognitive disabilities.
  

Fixing just these can significantly raise your accessibility score.

4. Use Ally’s Built-In Fix Guides

Clicking on an issue opens a feedback panel with:

• A preview of the content
• A plain-language explanation of the problem
• Step-by-step instructions to fix it
  

You don’t need to be a tech expert -- Ally walks you through it.

5. Tell Students About Alternative File Formats

Ally doesn’t just help instructors -- it gives students access to alternative formats like audio, tagged PDFs, and BeeLine Reader to reduce cognitive overload. These formats are auto-generated from your original files and are available through a dropdown icon next to each document. Encourage your students to explore these options based on their learning preferences, device or accessibility needs. It’s an easy win to support more flexible, inclusive learning.

Open your course today, check the meters, and fix one thing. Just one small change can make a big difference.

Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC’s Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.

myUMBC Poll: Which Ally strategy will you try first?

In consideration of its member's busy schedules and different planning needs, the Maryland State Retirement Agency offers virtual options for our members to prepare for retirement at their convenience.

All webinars are approximately 1 hour in length

First Steps Webinar

The Retirement Readiness First Steps webinar provides a general overview of the survivor, disability, and retirement benefits administered by Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS) – including descriptions of service retirement eligibility rules, vesting criteria, and ways to obtain additional qualifying service credit. This retirement readiness presentation is designed for early career and mid-career members of the Employees’ and Teachers’ Retirement and Pension Systems.

Upcoming Webinars:

• Thursday, 9/4, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
• Wednesday, 11/5, 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Click here to Register.

Pre-Retirement Webinars:

These webinars provide a general overview of SRPS benefits - including a general description of retirement eligibility and benefits provided by the SRPS. (Off Site Registration Links)

• Employees, Teachers and Correctional Officers Retirement Systems 

As educators, we strive to create a learning environment where every student can succeed. But what if the very materials we use, such as digital resources, tools, or technologies, unintentionally create barriers for some? 

That’s where digital accessibility comes in. It’s more than a new compliance mandate -- it’s a fundamental part of building a welcoming classroom that works for everyone. By making our digital course content accessible, we don’t just help students with disabilities. We enhance the learning experience for all students, a practice that aligns with UMBC’s mission of inclusive excellence.

Here are five practical things you should know about digital accessibility to make a difference in your courses:

1. Accessibility Benefits Everyone

Last year’s DOJ ruling establishes the requirement that all public-facing and password-protected content including course materials, must meet WCAG 2.1 A/AA accessibility standards by April 2026. This includes Blackboard courses, documents, videos, tools, and department websites. By designing with accessibility in mind, we remove obstacles before they appear and improve the learning experience for all students. For example:

• Captioned videos help students who are not native English speakers, those in a loud environment, or those who simply prefer reading along. 
• Well-structured documents with headings and proper contrast benefit students with cognitive disabilities, but they also make it easier for any student to skim and find information quickly.

2. Think POUR, Not Poor

Accessibility is based on four key principles (POUR):

• Perceivable: Provide alt text, captions, and clear structure.
• Operable: Ensure keyboard navigation and avoid flashing content.
• Understandable: Use plain language, consistent layouts, and clear instructions.
• Robust: Create content that works with screen readers, smart phones, tablets, etc.

3. Use Ally in Blackboard

Anthology Ally scans your course and flags accessibility issues, providing personalized guidance on how to fix issues. In addition to finding an overall accessibility score for your course, look for individual colored meters next to files to indicate the accessibility of those content types. Ally also offers step-by-step guides to help you fix content and AI assistance for image descriptions. 

4. Quick Wins: Fix the Most Common Issues First

You don’t need to fix everything overnight. Start small and work on one area at a time:

• Fix images first -- lack of descriptions are the most common issue
• Use descriptive links to provide context instead of “click here”
• Add headings to documents and PDFs
• Choose accessible colors to avoid contrast issues in files and online content
• Ensure captions are accurate in video content

5. It’s About Making Progress, Not Perfection

Start with what matters most: your current course materials. Focus on content students use often, such as readings, presentations, and videos. Archived materials do not need to be remediated unless reused for an active program, service, or activity. 

Improving course accessibility is a continuous improvement, not a one-time project -- but your investment makes a difference. Every small change you make today contributes to a more effective learning environment for all of your students. 

Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC’s Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.