Designing great visuals isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about inclusivity. Millions of users interact with digital content differently: some rely on screen readers, others need high-contrast visuals, and many benefit from accessible layouts.
Thankfully, AI is making inclusive design more achievable than ever. You don’t need to be an accessibility expert to create visuals that are easier to understand and navigate. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best free (or freemium) AI tools that help you design with accessibility in mind.
1. AltText.ai
- Best for: Automatic alt text generation
- Writing accurate image descriptions can be time-consuming, but it’s essential for screen reader accessibility. AltText.ai uses AI to analyze your images and generate clear, descriptive alt text.
- Features:
- AI-powered captions in seconds
- Multi-language support
- Option to edit and refine generated text
- Why it works: Ensures all your visuals have meaningful descriptions, helping visually impaired users understand your content.
👉 Try it at alttext.ai.
2. Microsoft Designer (Accessibility Checker)
- Best for: Inclusive layouts and readability
- Microsoft’s free Designer tool includes built-in accessibility suggestions. It checks your design for color contrast, font size, and layout readability.
- Features:
- Real-time accessibility feedback
- AI-generated design templates
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Why it works: It prevents accessibility issues before you publish, saving you from manual audits later.
👉 Available with a free Microsoft account at designer.microsoft.com.
3. Stark (AI Contrast Checker)
- Best for: Colorblind-friendly design
- Stark’s AI-driven tools help ensure your visuals are legible for all users, including those with color vision deficiencies.
- Features:
- AI contrast checker
- Colorblind simulation mode
- Accessibility compliance testing (WCAG)
- Why it works: Color is often overlooked in accessibility. This tool makes sure your designs are still usable, no matter who’s viewing them.
👉 Free browser extension at getstark.co.
4. Adobe Sensei (Auto Captions & Accessibility Tools)
- Best for: Video and multimedia accessibility
- Adobe’s AI engine, Sensei, automatically generates captions and transcriptions for videos. This makes content accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Features:
- Auto-captioning for videos
- Voice-to-text transcription
- Smart tagging for media libraries
- Why it works: Ensures your multimedia is inclusive without needing expensive manual captioning services.
👉 Available in Adobe Express free plan at adobe.com/express.
5. Visme (Accessible Infographics)
- Best for: Presentations and educational content
- Visme offers AI-assisted design tools along with accessibility-friendly templates that keep readability in mind.
- Features:
- Accessible infographic templates
- AI copywriting for plain-language explanations
- High-contrast palettes
- Why it works: Perfect for educators and businesses who need professional yet accessible designs.
👉 Free account at visme.co.
Final Thoughts
Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s a necessity if you want your content to reach and resonate with everyone. With these AI-powered tools, you can:
- Generate alt text in seconds
- Ensure proper contrast and readability
- Add captions to videos effortlessly
- Create inclusive content for diverse audiences
Start small: pick one tool from this list, integrate it into your workflow, and gradually build accessibility into every visual you create. The result? Content that looks great, works for everyone, and stands out as inclusive.
