--- title: "Designing for Empathy: Creating Accessible Tech with a Human Touch" description: Discover how Acclinate's e-DICT™ and NOWINCLUDED platforms foster health equity through empathy-driven design and community engagement in clinical trials. image: https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/side-view-of-senior-african-american-businesswoman-2025-03-08-23-46-58-utc.webp --- [![Acclinate Logo](https://blog.acclinate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Acclinate-logo.png?width=2000&height=497&name=Acclinate-logo.png "Acclinate Logo")](https://www.acclinate.com/) - Products - [NOWINCLUDED](https://www.acclinate.com/products/nowincluded-the-community) - [eDICT](https://www.acclinate.com/products/e-dict) - Solutions - [Pharmaceutical Companies](https://www.acclinate.com/solutions/for-pharmaceutical-companies) - [Contract Research Organizations](https://www.acclinate.com/solutions/for-cros) - [Partners](https://www.acclinate.com/solutions/community-partners) - Company - [About Us](https://www.acclinate.com/about) - 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[FDA Diversity Plan ](https://blog.acclinate.com/tag/fda-diversity-plan) - [FDA Guidance: Diversity in Clinical Trials ](https://blog.acclinate.com/tag/fda-guidance-diversity-in-clinical-trials) - [Health Equity ](https://blog.acclinate.com/tag/health-equity) - [Partnerships ](https://blog.acclinate.com/tag/partnerships) - [Representation in Healthcare ](https://blog.acclinate.com/tag/representation-in-healthcare) [Community](https://blog.acclinate.com/topic/community) # Designing for Empathy: Creating Accessible Tech with a Human Touch Discover how Acclinate's e-DICT™ and NOWINCLUDED platforms foster health equity through empathy-driven design and community engagement in clinical trials. ![Designing for Empathy: Creating Accessible Tech with a Human Touch](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/side-view-of-senior-african-american-businesswoman-2025-03-08-23-46-58-utc.webp) Clinical Trial Diversity: What Does It Really Mean? Clinical trials are critical for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and pharmaceutical products. The results of trials guide t... Read More ![ Apurva Chinta](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/apurva-chinta.jpeg) [Apurva Chinta](https://blog.acclinate.com/author/apurva-chinta) UX Designer, Acclinate Share this Post: [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.acclinate.com/designing-for-empathy-creating-accessible-tech-with-a-human-touch) [**](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://blog.acclinate.com/designing-for-empathy-creating-accessible-tech-with-a-human-touch) [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.acclinate.com/designing-for-empathy-creating-accessible-tech-with-a-human-touch&title=Designing%20for%20Empathy:%20Creating%20Accessible%20Tech%20with%20a%20Human%20Touch) Stay up to date Get news directly in your inbox Imagine a woman named Mariah. She's 58, managing type 2 diabetes, and juggling caregiving duties. She leaves a doctor's appointment with a pamphlet she can barely decipher, feeling overwhelmed. Between the demands of daily life, she has little time to navigate a healthcare system that often feels distant and complex. The information she needs is hard to access, and when it does reach her, it rarely feels like it's meant for her, leading to a deep sense of mistrust. That's why building trust is at the center of what we do at Acclinate. When people trust the system, they lean in: they seek care sooner, share crucial details more openly, follow treatment plans, and stay engaged long-term. When that trust is broken, especially in communities scarred by historical harm and systemic bias, even the most brilliant science stalls. For these groups, skepticism isn't paranoia; it's wisdom earned through experience. Earning trust back isn't optional; it's an ethical, clinical, and operational imperative. And it’s where empathy in design becomes more than a nice idea—it becomes essential. > *When people trust the system, they lean in: they seek care sooner, share crucial details more openly, follow treatment plans, and stay engaged long-term.* ## Designing With People, For People When I joined [Acclinate](https://www.acclinate.com), I didn’t start by designing. I started by listening. I spent time talking with community members to understand their needs, fears, and motivations. To me, designing with empathy means involving people every step of the way—building with them, not just for them. Those early conversations directly shaped [NOWINCLUDED](https://nowincluded.com/), our community platform. It’s a safe space for honest dialogue, where people can connect, share, and learn about their health in a way that feels approachable. We realized quickly that many members are busy caregivers or parents, often short on time. They don’t have hours to sift through dense content—they need fast, clear, actionable information. We also learned that not everything should be solved with an app or website. Some members, especially older adults, prefer in-person events or phone conversations. That feedback helps us decide which experiences belong online and which need a more personal touch. My Product Lead and I formalize this feedback loop through ongoing testing and focus groups. Simple insights—like realizing people didn’t understand what NOWINCLUDED actually *was*—led us to revamp the homepage. After the update, our bounce rate dropped 15%, and engagement quality rose noticeably. It’s proof that listening always pays off. [Discover Acclinate’s real-world impact with our case studies.](https://www.acclinate.com/case-studies) ## Balancing Data Collection and Trust Designing for communities that have been historically over-surveyed means we need to tread carefully. As a tech-driven company, we still need data—but gathering it has to come from a place of respect. That’s why we focus on *progressive profiling*: asking only what’s truly necessary upfront and waiting to collect other details until it feels natural. We also make a point to show our work—explaining *why* we’re asking for information, how it will be used, and how it helps personalize the user’s experience. Transparency goes a long way in turning skepticism into participation. We think carefully about: - **What we don’t need to ask yet:** We regularly brainstorm the minimum information to ask upfront. We hold off on less essential details until later, when context—like discussing overall health—makes the request clear and relevant. This dramatically improves completion rates and reduces abandonment. We focus on delivering crucial information quickly so members can see results and then feel motivated to enter more data once value and trust are gained. - **Where a “Skip for now” option should appear.** - **How we can make help feel natural**—through human language, clear next steps, and shorter forms. - **Using visuals of real people** to showcase authentic community and humanizing the platform. We also build trust by being transparent: - **Continuously explaining our WHY:** Explaining our mission, showing how every member's participation moves us toward health equity. - **Showing** how data helps personalize their experience. - **Using simple, approachable language**—especially on prescreener pages—so no one feels lost. ## Empathy Across Every Product: From NOWINCLUDED to e-DICT™ The same approach I take with NOWINCLUDED also applies to [e-DICT™](https://blog.acclinate.com/a-deeper-dive-into-e-dict-how-our-product-drives-health-equity), our client-facing tool. Here, empathy looks different—it’s about helping clients see people, not just numbers. My job is to take complex data about communities and trials and make it simple, visual, and meaningful. That might mean testing new data visualizations or redesigning dashboards until the story behind the numbers feels clear. When done right, empathy turns raw data into insight that drives smarter, more equitable decisions. ## Design Thinking Is Everyone’s Job Many of us at Acclinate are members of the communities we serve, which makes empathy the core of what we build. We aren't building for strangers; we're building for our neighbors, our families, and ourselves. Every team contributes to that mission. Our Commercial Team brings insights from clients and the field. Our Community and Marketing Teams spend their days listening to real stories. Our Content and Graphics Team makes information feel human and approachable. And our Data Team makes sure the numbers never lose sight of the people behind them. For me, that’s what design thinking really means—meeting people where they are, understanding their lived experience, and using empathy to guide every decision. Caring for the people we build for isn't simply a strategy at Acclinate—it’s the foundational purpose that ensures we turn empathy into equitable action every single day. Ready to learn more about our UX design approach? [Schedule a 1:1 with our team](https://blog.acclinate.com/cs/c/?cta_guid=55107ccc-ffdc-40cd-9072-0f0f1408baae&signature=AAH58kFf6PTfKB2EcQHvrROGMKEw-MS7Ew&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acclinate.com%2F&portal_id=19943632&pageId=153327030564&placement_guid=2e1c34dc-aaa1-43b8-b5f4-469b0db4e302&click=027bd0bd-63f6-4b2c-803a-eb3cf8157966&redirect_url=APefjpFFdJZxPI72GG04sM-tJXgs8XwtmuLeu6ndioHHwFyL4p2GsF3fFOUFrf63B0MKmGNu6hEKhpu5Sp5cG8yJrNTNuLMI43zePYTQjcLx3NL-LXRBlqLfKQ0j2X4WPfZT-DUgSkP_m14JvES6hFAz08mXaaO2M_vwEML_NEDlrpwZLc3sZxokAKdRmmDKGkL5IJT4La0UdMZ4zpjQzEFP5mRyYsQMOPS_bUx43XAXBSQGU0gsL7YMJxV8X1x03ddSD9cWX0av4WOSfKaAC8Z19YANsSLZMA&hsutk=af2d6b60f434b25264f6c24b1b4bd070&canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.acclinate.com%2F&ts=1761686274950&__hstc=268225873.af2d6b60f434b25264f6c24b1b4bd070.1751404298255.1761413614377.1761686271178.43&__hssc=268225873.2.1761686271178&__hsfp=1213111346&contentType=listing-page). [![Achieving Affective Trust:Actionable Insights IntoAdvancing Health Equity](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/19943632/2daa6753-37c3-421c-a858-ea4e51d5f618.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/19943632/2daa6753-37c3-421c-a858-ea4e51d5f618) ## Recent Posts [![Clinical Trial Management: The Hidden Risk of Homogeneous Trials in a One-Pivotal-Study World](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/mature-female-patient-at-doctors-appointment-2026-01-08-06-10-47-utc.webp) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-management-the-hidden-risk-of-homogeneous-trials-in-a-one-pivotal-study-world) [- [Diversity in Clinical Trials](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/diversity-in-clinical-trials) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-management-the-hidden-risk-of-homogeneous-trials-in-a-one-pivotal-study-world) [ Clinical Trial Management: The Hidden Risk of Homogeneous Trials in a One-Pivotal-Study World ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-management-the-hidden-risk-of-homogeneous-trials-in-a-one-pivotal-study-world) June 25, 2026 3 Min Read Drug development economics are changing. Sponsors are increasingly relying on a single pivotal trial to support approval. Though the goal of this appr... Read More [![Clinical Trial Generalizability: What Regulators Will Scrutinize Next](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/woman-visiting-dermatologist-2026-01-08-22-23-31-utc.webp) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-generalizability-what-regulators-will-scrutinize-next) [- [Diversity in Clinical Trials](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/diversity-in-clinical-trials) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-generalizability-what-regulators-will-scrutinize-next) [ Clinical Trial Generalizability: What Regulators Will Scrutinize Next ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-generalizability-what-regulators-will-scrutinize-next) June 25, 2026 3 Min Read For years, generalizability was framed as a methodological concern. Reviewers debated whether results could reasonably extend beyond a trial’s enrolle... Read More [![Site Engagement Index (SEI): Measuring What Actually Builds Trust](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/computer-screen-trading-and-back-with-charts-hom-2026-01-09-09-28-19-utc.webp) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/site-engagement-index-sei-measuring-what-actually-builds-trust) [- [Clinical Research Software](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/clinical-research-software) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/site-engagement-index-sei-measuring-what-actually-builds-trust) [ Site Engagement Index (SEI): Measuring What Actually Builds Trust ](https://blog.acclinate.com/site-engagement-index-sei-measuring-what-actually-builds-trust) June 25, 2026 3 Min Read Clinical research lacks anything but metrics. Enrollment targets, site activation timelines, and digital engagement rates are tracked closely across s... Read More [![](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6567a9f90c0cf111067913e2_Merck%20Pop%20Up2.png) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/acclinate-collaborates-with-merck-to-increase-clinical-trial-diversity) [ Acclinate to support Merck's oncology clinical trials ](https://blog.acclinate.com/acclinate-collaborates-with-merck-to-increase-clinical-trial-diversity) June 24, 2026 1 Min Read Acclinate, an expert in health equity through inclusive research, is collaborating with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, to h... Read More [![Why Trial Diversity Is Now a Risk Management Strategy](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/Why-Trial-Diversity-Is-Now-a-Risk-Management-Strategy.jpg) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/why-trial-diversity-is-now-a-risk-management-strategy) [- [Diversity in Clinical Trials](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/diversity-in-clinical-trials) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/why-trial-diversity-is-now-a-risk-management-strategy) [ The New Control Lever: Why Trial Diversity Is Now a Risk Management Strategy ](https://blog.acclinate.com/why-trial-diversity-is-now-a-risk-management-strategy) March 2, 2026 3 Min Read For years, conversations around trial diversity were framed as ethical or reputational concerns. That framing no longer reflects regulatory reality. Read More [![Acclinate’s NOWINCLUDED: Turning Community Insights Into Research Equity](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_470269560.webp) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/acclinates-nowincluded-turning-community-insights-into-research-equity) [- [Community](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/community) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/acclinates-nowincluded-turning-community-insights-into-research-equity) [ Acclinate’s NOWINCLUDED: Turning Community Insights Into Research Equity ](https://blog.acclinate.com/acclinates-nowincluded-turning-community-insights-into-research-equity) February 16, 2026 3 Min Read Clinical research equity efforts originate with good intentions. But they often hit a roadblock in practice: communities are asked to participate in h... Read More [![How Acclinate’s e-DICT™ Technology Builds Real-Time Community Trust](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1631551849.webp) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/how-acclinates-e-dict-technology-builds-real-time-community-trust) [- [Community](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/community) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/how-acclinates-e-dict-technology-builds-real-time-community-trust) [ How Acclinate’s e-DICT™ Technology Builds Real-Time Community Trust ](https://blog.acclinate.com/how-acclinates-e-dict-technology-builds-real-time-community-trust) February 9, 2026 3 Min Read Reaching underrepresented communities in healthcare research has never been simple. Participation decisions are shaped by lived experience, historical... Read More [![Data-Driven Inclusion](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/Acclinate/Blog%20Images/Acclinate-Data-Driven-Inclusion.jpg) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/data-driven-inclusion-predictive-analytics-for-trial-enrollment) [- [Clinical Research Software](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/clinical-research-software) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/data-driven-inclusion-predictive-analytics-for-trial-enrollment) [ Data-Driven Inclusion: Predictive Analytics for Trial Enrollment ](https://blog.acclinate.com/data-driven-inclusion-predictive-analytics-for-trial-enrollment) February 2, 2026 2 Min Read Subpar enrollment remains one of the most common causes of trial delays. But sponsors often miss a key factor: underrepresentation. Lack of diversity ... Read More [![Exploring Diversity in Clinical Research With Acclinate](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/Acclinate/Blog%20Images/Exploring-Diversity-in-Clinical-Research-With-Acclinate.jpg) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/exploring-diversity-in-clinical-research-with-acclinate) [- [Diversity in Clinical Trials](https://blog.acclinate.com/news/tag/diversity-in-clinical-trials) ](https://blog.acclinate.com/exploring-diversity-in-clinical-research-with-acclinate) [ Exploring Diversity in Clinical Research With Acclinate ](https://blog.acclinate.com/exploring-diversity-in-clinical-research-with-acclinate) January 26, 2026 3 Min Read Diversity in clinical research remains a widely discussed goal, yet progress has been uneven. Trials still grapple with subpar representation, limited... Read More [![Clinical Trial Management: The Hidden Risk of Homogeneous Trials in a One-Pivotal-Study World](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/mature-female-patient-at-doctors-appointment-2026-01-08-06-10-47-utc.webp) June 25, 2026 Clinical Trial Management: The Hidden Risk of Homogeneous Trials in a One-Pivotal-Study World Read More ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-management-the-hidden-risk-of-homogeneous-trials-in-a-one-pivotal-study-world) [![Clinical Trial Generalizability: What Regulators Will Scrutinize Next](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/woman-visiting-dermatologist-2026-01-08-22-23-31-utc.webp) June 25, 2026 Clinical Trial Generalizability: What Regulators Will Scrutinize Next Read More ](https://blog.acclinate.com/clinical-trial-generalizability-what-regulators-will-scrutinize-next) [![Site Engagement Index (SEI): Measuring What Actually Builds Trust](https://blog.acclinate.com/hubfs/computer-screen-trading-and-back-with-charts-hom-2026-01-09-09-28-19-utc.webp) June 25, 2026 Site Engagement Index (SEI): Measuring What Actually Builds Trust Read More ](https://blog.acclinate.com/site-engagement-index-sei-measuring-what-actually-builds-trust) ![Woman wearing Acclinate Shirt](https://blog.acclinate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/layer1_image.webp?width=1600&height=1068&name=layer1_image.webp) ![Medical Research Software e-DICT](https://blog.acclinate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/layer2_image.webp?width=885&height=885&name=layer2_image.webp) ![layer2.2_image](https://blog.acclinate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/layer2.2_image.webp?width=1505&height=1197&name=layer2.2_image.webp) ![layer3_image](https://blog.acclinate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/layer3_image.webp?width=1600&height=1067&name=layer3_image.webp) ## Ready to Measure Your True Impact? Partner with Acclinate to turn mission into measurable, data-driven action. 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