Fix Your Content Day
November 10, 2026
Each year, Blackboard sponsors Fix Your Content Day as a 24-hour global event to promote accessibility of course materials. 2026 will be NIU's 5th year participating!
The objective: improve the accessibility of as many digital course files as possible through Blackboard Ally.
Let's Beat Our Score!
We made 313 fixes to digital course content during our third annual Fix Your Content Day on November 18, 2025, finishing #52 among higher ed institutions globally! That was almost 3x the fixes we made in 2024!
Overview
On Fix Your Content Day, the NIU community has 24 hours to make as many content fixes as possible via the Blackboard Ally instructor feedback tool. By the end of the day, we hope to have made a significant impact on the accessibility of our course materials, reducing barriers for students with disabilities and creating a more inclusive environment for all of our students!
While the goal is to do the right thing and support our students, there is also a competition among institutions to keep us motivated. Using data from Blackboard Ally, the global leaderboard ranks each participating institution by the ratio of files improved to the total number of students.
How to Participate
On Fix Your Content Day, you can participate by fixing accessibility issues in your course content. It's as easy as 1-2-3!
- Use the Ally accessibility score indicator and course report to identify content that course be improved
- Review Ally's instructor feedback to identify the accessibility issue and learn how to fix it
- Apply the change via the browser or upload your revised file to make your "fix"
You can work with content that already exists in any of your Blackboard courses, or upload new content and receive immediate feedback from Ally to improve it.
Throughout the day, NIU will offer workshops and hands-on office hours to help you get started with Ally and improve your content accessibility.
Agenda
CITL is here to help you get started with Blackboard Ally and improve your content accessibility. When you register for the overall event, you are also registered for these optional sessions. You can join as many as your schedule allows.
Kick-Off: Accessibility 2026—What You Need to Know
Online 9–9:45 AM
A panel of faculty and staff will discuss Digital Accessibility Compliance regulations and the importance of accessibility in digital course materials. Includes an overview of the day’s events and the Blackboard Ally Fix Your Content Day “contest.”
Workshop 1: From Documents to Slides: Microsoft Accessibility Tools and Techniques
Online 10–10:45 AM
Learn built-in accessibility tools and shortcuts across Word, PowerPoint, and Teams that make your content clearer, more inclusive, and compliant with accessibility standards.
Workshop 2: Lights, Sound, Access! Making Media Work for Everyone
Online 11–11:45 AM
Explore practical strategies for making multimedia content accessible—from captioning videos and adding transcripts to ensuring visuals communicate clearly and inclusively.
Workshop 3: Be an Accessibility Ally with Blackboard Ally
Online 12–12:45 PM
Discover how to use Blackboard Ally to identify and fix accessibility issues in your course content. Learn how to interpret accessibility scores, make simple changes with major impact, and explore new features like PDF Quick Fixes.
Accessibility Office Hours
In Person: CITL Building, 100B or Online via Teams, 12:30–2:30 PM
Drop in for personalized, hands-on help with your course materials. Bring a syllabus, handout, PDF, or video to remediate with expert support—every fix helps NIU move closer to full accessibility compliance.
Recognition
The individuals who make the most fixes during Fix Your Content Day will receive a certificate of recognition. The departments who make the most fixes as a group will also receive a certificate of recognition.
Registration
Fix Your Content Day is open to all NIU faculty (including tenured, tenure-track, instructional, clinical, and research faculty), all staff, and all teaching assistants. Register by November 9.
Get Help
Technical Support and Student Help
Division of IT Service Desk815-753-8100
servicedesk@niu.edu