In today’s digital world, accessibility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Dilip Kodlipet Jagadeesh, Director of Product Design at Smartsheet, is leading a revolution in this space with Design A11y, an AI-powered tool that’s transforming how digital accessibility is approached. With over 300 million people globally experiencing color blindness and more than 2.2 billion affected by vision impairment, the need for inclusive design has never been more urgent. As digital tools continue to shape people’s lives, particularly in enterprise environments, ensuring these tools are accessible to all users is paramount. Design A11y rises to meet this challenge head-on.
Design A11y: Revolutionizing Accessibility
Design A11y is transforming the way digital accessibility is built into enterprise platforms. Unlike traditional methods that address accessibility after the fact, Design A11y integrates directly into the dashboard design process, offering real-time analysis and adjustments to ensure content meets WCAG 3.0 standards. By leveraging the Advanced Perceptual Contrast Algorithm (APCA), it evaluates text and background color combinations in context, considering factors like text size, font weight, and ambient lighting. This allows users to create content that is genuinely usable by all without needing deep technical expertise.
A standout feature of Design A11y is its one-click auto-fix capability. When the tool detects accessibility issues—such as problematic color contrast—users can resolve them with a single click, instantly bringing designs in line with accessibility standards. Additionally, it automatically generates descriptive ‘Alt-text’ for images and charts, making digital content more accessible for users relying on screen readers.
Industry Recognition and Achievements
The impact of Design A11y has not gone unnoticed. It was honored as an Innovation by Design honoree by Fast Company and awarded the Indigo Design Award for Design for Social Change. These accolades highlight the tool’s pivotal role in driving accessibility forward, setting new benchmarks for inclusive design across digital environments. Design A11y continues to bridge the gap between accessibility and innovation, showing how AI can be harnessed for meaningful change.
Photo Courtesy: Dilip Kodlipet Jagadeesh
Dilip Kodlipet Jagadeesh: The Visionary Behind the Innovation
Having spearheaded the development of several AI-driven solutions, Dilip Kodlipet Jagadeesh has consistently demonstrated his commitment to making technology more accessible and efficient for knowledge workers. His work with Design A11y exemplifies his broader mission: to lower the barriers to creating accessible digital experiences. He focuses on integrating AI to simplify complex tasks, making technology more inclusive for everyone.
When asked about his approach, Dilip shared, “Our mission is to lower the barrier for building accessible digital experiences. We believe inclusivity should be a default aspect of design, not an afterthought. With Design A11y, we’re taking significant steps toward making accessibility a seamless part of every digital interaction.”
Shaping the Future of AI-Enabled Design
Dilip is not just creating innovative tools like Design A11y; he’s actively shaping the future of AI-powered design experiences. A thought leader in AI-driven product design, Dilip’s articles—such as his widely read Crafting AI Experiences series—demystify AI for designers and provide practical guidance for integrating AI into user interfaces. His commitment to AI-driven innovation focuses on lowering technological barriers and ensuring complex tasks become simple, accessible, and user-friendly.
Beyond his technical work, Dilip is a recognized leader in the design community. He judges prestigious industry awards such as the Webby Awards and W3 Awards, evaluating groundbreaking designs that influence the digital landscape. His involvement as a juror and dedication to sharing insights through public speaking and mentorship further solidified his status as a community-driven innovator.
As technology continues to evolve, tools like Design A11y will play an increasingly vital role. This tool is not just about meeting accessibility standards—it’s about setting new benchmarks for inclusivity and ensuring that accessible digital experiences become the norm, not the exception. Dilip’s work, leadership role, and contributions as a writer and speaker demonstrate his drive to ensure that AI enhances productivity and empowers users of all abilities.
Published by: Martin De Juan
