Product Updates

1. Ability to Regenerate Alternative Formats with Latest Accessibility Engine
   Users can now reprocess the Alternative Format(s) of their documents to take advantage of the latest accessibility engine. Users have the option to reprocess either a single, or all Alternative Formats.
   • Reprocessing a Single Alternative Format File
     
   • Reprocessing All Alternative Formats Files
2. Improved Accessibility Engine to Better Detect Language and Color Contrast Issues
   We have improved the underlying engine that is responsible for detecting Language and Color Contrast issues present in documents. This includes doing a better job of Instructors when a portion of a document is written in a language different than the default for the document. We also have tuned the sensitivity of our Contrast checker to ensure that the probability of a false positive is reduced. 
3. Improved Speech-to-Text Engine for Multi-Column Microsoft Word Documents
   The Accessibility Engines have been improved to better detect column formatting when performing speech-to-text operations on Microsoft Word documents. The result is more accurate narration of the file.
   
4. Optimized Integrity and Security 
   Taking the concern of users’ privacy and security seriously, we have made significant improvements to Panorama’s integrity and security.

We have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union. This release prioritizes making Panorama accessible to users of Blackboard 3800 and higher versions. This release also focuses on providing users easier management of content, enhanced security, and a number of optimizations.

1. Panorama Now Supported on Blackboard 3800+ via Browser Extension for Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple’s Safari
   We have now made Panorama available for users of Blackboard 3800 and higher versions through a downloadable browser extension. Users can download the extension on a browser of their choice, including: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple’s Safari. Moreover, while we currently support non-ultra courses, we intend to support Blackboard Ultra courses for future releases. To learn how to download the Panorama browser extension, please click here.
2. Ability to Remove Documents
   To allow for easier management of content, users will now be able to remove documents from Panorama through the LTI application. This will not remove users’ files from their Learning Management System. To learn more about this feature, please click here.
   
3. Optimized Security, Accuracy, and Efficiency
   In addition to resolving minor bugs, we continue to stand firm on our promise of making learning accessible for all students. Thus, we have strengthened the efficiency and accuracy of issue detection for doc(x) files. Moreover, taking the concern of users’ privacy and security seriously, we have made significant improvements to Panorama’s integrity and security.

We have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union. This update aims to provide users an increased variety of accessible tools.

1. Ability to Access Alternative Formats for HTML pages within Moodle, Blackboard, and D2L
   To mirror the capability offered in Canvas, users now have the ability to access Alternative Formats and view Accessibility Reports for HTML pages in Moodle, Blackboard and D2L.
    
2. Ability to Add and View Current Source Files
   Users will now be able to add and view the latest version of the original file.
   
3. Up-to-Date Status of Audio File Request
   Users will now be able to view the conversion status of Audio Files. Average conversion time is 5-10 minutes.
   
4. Ability to Version Lock Visualizers in Moodle for Additional Security
   In Moodle, Admins can enhance visualizer security with version locking. Admins have the option between locking the current version or using the most up-to-date version via the Panorama for Moodle Settings.
   
5. Reduction of Calls to Moodle’s LMS
   In effort to significantly reduce the number of calls to Moodle’s LMS to enhance performance, this update implements an optimal workflow to capture the Moodle file identifiers.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union. This update aims to provide users with more configurable settings to measure accessibility.

1. Improved HTML Accessibility Checks
   To ensure all content meets accessibility standards, HTML WYSIWYG Editor content will be analyzed and assigned an Accessibility Score. Additionally, Panorama will guide instructors with steps to improve the Accessibility Score.
   
2. Updated UI of Accessibility Gauges 
   To create uniformity in the Score Report, Course Report and LTI Institution Reporting, the UI of the Accessibility Gauge has been updated.
   
3. New Configurable Course Default Settings
   To provide Admin and Instructors with more oversight in to the course, a Course Configuration Panel has been implemented. The Course Configuration Panel serves as a central location for Admins and Instructors to configure course-level settings.
   
4. Ability for Instructors to Enable or Disable Accessibility Report Gauges
   In the Course Configuration Panel, Instructors can configure the Report settings, choosing whether to enable or disable the Accessibility Gauges from appearing in their courses.
   
5. Ability for Admins to Review Default Settings
   In the Course Configuration Panel, Admins can set default Report settings on an institution-wide level.
   
6. Improved Tab Order and Keyboard Accessibility
   The Tab key can be used to navigate through the Panorama Platform, including the Alternative Formats.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union. This release is specifically targeted to improving back-end infrastructure and simplifying the implementation process.

1. Improved Installation and Setup
   As customers continue to purchase Panorama for their digital accessibility needs, we wanted to improve the speed of the implementation by improving how Panorama integrates with an organization’s LMS.
2. Full Automatic Synchronization
   We’ve moved Panorama from on an on-demand sync to an full automatic sync for all LMS’ to increase the efficiency of Panorama content identification. Now, alternative formats generation is even faster as we continue to focus on improving the back-end infrastructure of the Platform.
3. More Secure Content Replacement in D2L
   We re-designed our back-end connector with D2L to improve the reliability and security of the Panorama-to-D2L connection.
4. Smaller Bug Fixes and Improvements
   Multiple Panorama improvements were made to optimize our system interaction with third-party integrations to significantly increase system performance, prevent duplicate document and alternative formats from non-whitelisted LMS courses and more.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union.

1. Automatic Processing for D2L Digital Content
   We’ve added automatic processing for D2L files on pages that are visited by users so users don’t need to wait for Alternative Formats or Accessibility Scores to generate. System Administrators can configure this behavior under Additional Settings in the Panorama LTI.
    
   
2. Automated Processing for Canvas HTLM Pages
   We now support automated generation of Canvas HTLM content when the page is loaded ensuring a quicker processing and retrieval of Alternative Formats.
    
   
3. Enhanced Panorama Security Message
   We released our Enhanced Security feature in our last Panorama update and have added additional messaging in this release to notify users when they need to install the Panorama Browser Plugin to use all the features of Panorama.
    
   
4. Smaller Bug Fixes and Improvements
   Multiple Panorama improvements were made to optimize the connection between Panorama and all LMSs, improve processing speeds and more.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union.

1. Official Panorama Support for D2L Brightspace
   We’re excited to announce Panorama support for D2L Brightspace to help your instructors ensure they are providing accessible course content to their students using D2L. Panorama seamlessly generates multiple accessible variants of the course-material in the background including HTML, Electronic Braille, EPUB, Audio (Speech-to-Text), High Contrast, and Tagged PDF files. Reach out to your Account Manager for additional information.
    
   
2. Secure Browser Plugin for Security and Authentication
   Make Panorama even more secure for your Organization by requiring instructors to install the Panorama plugin on their Chrome, Firefox or Safari web browser before they can replace files in Panorama. To turn on this requirement, navigate to Additional Settings in Panorama and enable Visualizer Enhanced Security.
    
   
3. Default Prioritization for Frequently Used Courses
   Improve Panorama processing times for the most frequently used courses in your LMS by specifying the Scanning Frequency and Number of Prioritized Courses.
    
   
4. Smaller Bug Fixes and Improvements
   Multiple Panorama improvements were made to better handle Tagged PDFs, Organization Reporting Metrics, advanced Alternative Formats usage and more.

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union.

1. Audio Podcast File Alternative Formats Now Generated By Default
   Panorama now provides users the option to request an MP3 audio file as an alternative format for DOCX, PPTX, PDF and more.
    
   
2. Configurable Settings to Control Panorama Scanning Frequency
   Brand new settings allow Organizations to specify how often Panorama scans their LMS to synchronize content between the Accessibility Platform and LMS, then automatically queue the content for processing. Before, content was synchronized daily.
    
   
3. Alternative Formats in Canvas Pages
   Users can now access alternative formats directly from the Pages activity in Canvas for all digital content processed by Panorama.
    
   
4. Detailed Breakdown for Panorama Accessibility Reporting
   Using Panorama’s Accessibility reports to drive improved digital accessibility using AI flagged issues is now even easier. Instructors can now view a detailed breakdown of files that qualify for an accessibility error by issue type.
    
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union.

1. Drag & Drop Document Replacement with LMS Mirroring of Replaced Version
   With a refreshed UI, the Accessibility Report allow instructors to Drag & Drop edited documents that they have improved the accessibility for. This provides a quick-and-easy way to update documents. Previously, instructors needed to edit the LMS post, remove the old document and upload the new version.

 


2. Native HTML Accessibility in Canvas
   Panorama now provides accessibility reporting for HTML files and native HTML webpages in Canvas including Assignments, Discussions, Pages and Syllabus. Users can also access alternative formats of the HTML file and webpage’s text in PDF, Braille, EPUB and more.
    
   
3. Configurable Feature Flags in Canvas
   New settings are available to let Organizations control Panorama behavior using Feature Flags. These flags support toggling new HTML Accessibility features and Accessibility Score Weighting.
    
   
4. Severity Grade Now Visible in Accessibility Reports
   In our ongoing effort to provide additional transparency to accessibility scores, we’ve added Severity Scores to each accessibility issue flagged by Panorama’s AI to show Minor, Major and Severe issues.
    
   
5. Customize the Severity of the Accessibility Checks
   Panorama supports custom Issue Severity Scores that are configurable by an Administrator for PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT and PPTX file types. Organizations can now provide prioritization of accessibility issues that are unique to their users.
    
   
6. Monitor Files Still Processing in Panorama
   Panorama will now identify and mark files that have not been processed allowing instructors to monitor when a document is ready for review.
    
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all Panorama instances residing in the United States, Canada and the European Union.

1. New User Engagement Report

   A new User Engagement report provides real-time visual summaries of how users are engaging with Panorama. Reports include Panorama console and “widget” usage, number of times a recommended accessibility suggestion was implemented, and how often alternative formats are used.

   

2. PowerPoint Analysis Now Includes Reading Order Checks

   The PowerPoint Accessibility Analysis Engine (AAE) has been improved to perform Reading Order checks to ensure that objects displayed are in a logical reading order. This is a critical element to use within screen-readers.

   

3. New User Feedback Reporting Tool

   One of the ways we learn how our automated accessibility checks are doing is through feedback from users. Now users can provide feedback on Panorama, and more specifically how well a particular accessibility conversion performed, directly within the Panorama Console.

   

4. In addition to the above improvements, a number of fixes for specific scenarios were also improved including:
   • Improved detection of items with missing Alternative Text on PowerPoints
   • Resolved issue within the Blackboard Course Homepage where the Accessibility Gauge could fail to load.
   • Resolved issue where tagged PDFs were incorrectly listed as regular PDFs
   • Ability to replace files directly within the LTI-based application’s Accessibility Report.