Sketch releases 'Accessibility Lens' powered by a retrieval-augmented model

Design · 4 min read

The Accessibility Lens combines a local checker with a lightweight RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) model that fetches relevant WCAG guidance and examples from Sketch's curated knowledge base. It surfaces issues like insufficient contrast, ambiguous labels, and problematic focus order, and suggests concrete fixes.

Unlike generic checkers, Sketch's approach accounts for component intent and visual hierarchy, prioritizing recommendations that preserve the designer's aesthetic while improving usability. It also offers code snippets to implement fixes in common frontend frameworks and suggests accessible color palettes compatible with brand guidelines.

Design teams reported the Lens helped catch real-world accessibility problems earlier in the workflow, reducing late-stage engineering rework. Sketch plans to let teams upload their accessibility standards to the retrieval index for tailored guidance.