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About Yuja Panorama
Panorama is an accessibility tool that is integrated directly within the Brightspace digital learning environment. Panorama is replacing the Ally accessibility tool that we have used for several years. If you were looking for information on Panopto, our multimedia recording and storage platform, jump to our Panopto knowledge base articles.
Some of Panorama's key features are:
- Alternative format generation
- Accessibility issue detection (rating tool and dashboard)
- Accessibility remediation suggestions
- Inline document remediation (PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, HTML)
- AutoPilot accessibility remediation
- DocHub space for students and staff to check accessibility
In addition to providing these tools to faculty, staff, and students, Panorama also allows for institutional reporting on accessibility status.
Questions on the Transition to Panorama
Why are we moving to a new tool?
The SUNY contract with Ally will end in December 2026, and a full SUNY-wide RFP was conducted to determine if Ally was still the best accessibility tool for the digital learning environment. After a competitive search with representatives from across SUNY, Yuja Panorama was selected as the new tool, and Ally will not be renewed.
When are we transitioning to the new tool?
We anticipate moving to Panorama by the end of November 2026. This tool is rolling out across all SUNY campuses, and we need to coordinate with our SUNY Brightspace Administrators to make the change, so our specific transition date is still to be determined.
Why are we transitioning during the semester?
The timing of the transition is not ideal, but we need to switch before the contract with Ally expires, and Ally and Panorama cannot be run concurrently. This means we need to disable Ally when we turn on Panorama, so we don't have the option of a slow transition. Additionally, we want to provide training to faculty in December and January in preparation for the Spring 2027 semester. As a reminder, the ADA Title II compliance deadline is April 24, 2027.
What new functionality can we expect in Panorama?
Panorama allows us to do everything we did with Ally, including:
- Alternative format generation
- Accessibility issue detection (rating tool and dashboard)
- Accessibility remediation suggestions
Panorama will also introduce some new functionality, including the following:
- Inline Document Remediation: With Panorama, you will be able to make some types of remediation changes within Brightspace. File types that allow inline remediation include PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and HTML.
- AutoPilot Accessibility Remediation: AI functionality will suggest accessibility remediation changes. Faculty must approve AI suggestions.
- DocHub Space: Students and staff members can access the DocHub space outside of course sites to check documents for accessibility. Previously, accessibility checking was only available to faculty.
Are there any other changes I should anticipate?
Panorama is a more sophisticated tool and will be checking types of content that Ally did not check. This means some faculty may notice lower scores with Panorama than they did in Ally because more content is being evaluated.
Will students be impacted by this change?
The only part of Ally that students can currently access is the alternative formats menu. Alternative formats are also a part of the Panorama platform, and though the process to access alternative formats may be a little different, students will not have a gap in this important functionality. Once we have access to the tool to understand how alternative formats are generated in Panorama, we will create a knowledge base article that we will communicate to students.
Going forward, students will have access to the DocHub space where they can upload documents and check them for accessibility before submitting or posting them in Brightspace. Under ADA Title II, students are also expected to create accessible content that can be accessed by all of their peers and their faculty members. Creating accessible content is also a valuable skill for any field.
Will staff be impacted by this change?
Yes! Staff members will also be able to access the DocHub space and upload documents to check them for accessibility. This is new functionality that we were unable to provide with Ally.
Will you be holding trainings on the new tool?
Yes, we plan to offer trainings on Panorama in the late Fall and Spring 2026 semesters. Periodic ongoing trainings will continue into the future.
What if I have additional questions about the transition to Panorama?
Submit a Brightspace support ticket to ask questions about Panorama.