How Patients Discover Clinical Trial Websites: The Role of Localization in Accessibility

Patient recruitment strategy is becoming faster, broader, and more inclusive than ever. Yet many clinical trial websites still overlook two critical factors that determine whether patients can find and engage with trial opportunities: accessibility and localization. Together, these approaches ensure websites are not only discoverable across languages, but usable and welcoming to patients with diverse needs and abilities. 

In this post, we explore how accessibility and localization intersect to improve patient recruitment, and why combining both is essential for inclusive, global clinical research. 

Accessibility: The Foundation of Patient-Centric Digital Design 

Accessibility in web development means designing websites that all users can use, regardless of physical ability, device type, or cognitive barriers. In clinical research, this takes on added importance. Potential trial participants may have varying levels of health literacy, vision or hearing impairments, or limited experience navigating online content. Without accessible design, these patients can be unintentionally excluded from learning about or enrolling in clinical trials. 

^{Including web features such as alternative text embedded in each image on your webpage, for instance, makes it possible for users who utilize screen readers to get the full experience of your trial website and not miss out on key context included in pictures or diagrams.}

Features such as alt text for images, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and high-contrast visuals make clinical trial websites more usable. But accessibility also means using plain, concise language, organizing information logically, and providing clear, actionable next steps. These practices benefit everyone, not just users with disabilities. 

Designing with accessibility in mind signals respect and inclusion. It reflects a commitment to reaching all potential participants, not just those who are easiest to engage. 

Why Accessibility Alone Is Not Enough 

While accessibility is essential, it cannot succeed in isolation. If a website is technically accessible but only available in one language or uses content that feels foreign to the target audience, it still creates barriers. For global patient recruitment, accessibility must be paired with effective localization. 

Patients searching for trials in different countries or communities may not understand medical terminology or design conventions common in English-speaking regions. Content must be adapted not only linguistically, but also culturally and contextually. This includes everything from regional phrasing and idioms to imagery, symbols, and navigation patterns. Localization ensures that accessible features feel relevant and intuitive to the people using them. 

When accessibility and localization work together, the result is a site that patients can both find and understand—one that meets them on their terms. 

The Role of Localization in Inclusive Digital Outreach 

Localization enhances accessibility by removing language and cultural barriers that hinder engagement. Translating content is a good starting point, but true localization considers tone, phrasing, readability, and the structure of information. For example, a website that’s translated but written at a college reading level may still confuse users. Localized content, on the other hand, is tailored to health literacy standards and the communication norms of the target population. 

Effective localization also accounts for device preferences. In some regions, mobile use far outweighs desktop browsing. A responsive design, localized for mobile-first experiences, helps ensure content is easy to read and navigate regardless of how patients access it. 

^{According to a survey conducted by SQ Magazine in early 2025, mobile devices account for 71% of internet usage in Southeast Asia. Making content accessible to an audience located in Southeast Asia, therefore, must consider how information is displayed on a mobile browser to prevent patients from being left behind.}

When trial websites are localized with accessibility in mind, they become not only easier to find and read, but more trustworthy. They show patients that the trial is designed with care, clarity, and their specific needs in mind. 

Strategies for Designing Accessible and Localized Trial Websites 

Creating accessible, localized patient recruitment websites requires thoughtful planning, skilled execution, and a strong understanding of both your audiences and your platforms. Here are a few actionable strategies to guide your efforts: 

• Start with an accessibility audit. Evaluate whether your existing site meets global accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), and identify areas for improvement across languages and devices.
• Simplify content structure and language. Break up long paragraphs, use bullet points, and avoid technical jargon unless clearly defined. Test readability levels across translated content to ensure they remain patient-friendly.
• Ensure screen reader and keyboard navigation support. Localized sites should preserve functionality for assistive technologies, including across non-Latin character sets and right-to-left languages.
• Use localization experts for in-market accuracy. Collaborate with linguists and cultural consultants who understand how local audiences interpret visual and written content, and who can adapt messaging without losing meaning.
• Design for mobile-first, multilingual experiences. Many users around the world rely on mobile devices as their primary web access point. Your layout, navigation, and calls to action must be localized for smaller screens. 

Combining these elements ensures your site isn’t just inclusive in principle, but in practice. 

Build Inclusive Patient Experiences with GlobalLink Web 

Designing digital experiences that are both accessible and localized is essential to improving global patient recruitment. Yet managing the complexity of multiple languages, compliance standards, and accessibility features can overwhelm even the most seasoned teams. That’s where technology plays a powerful role. 

TransPerfect’s GlobalLink Web simplifies the process of creating and maintaining multilingual, accessible websites. It integrates with your existing systems, streamlines translation and localization workflows, and helps ensure your site is consistent, compliant, and usable for every audience you serve. Whether you're targeting patients across languages, geographies, or literacy levels, GlobalLink Web empowers your team to deliver inclusive trial content at scale. 

Inclusion begins online. With accessibility and localization working hand-in-hand (and with the right tools in place) your clinical trial websites can become powerful gateways to better patient engagement worldwide. If you are interested in learning more about how GlobalLink Web can help make your clinical trial websites more accessible, learn more about it here, or connect with our team to schedule a walkthrough tailored to your specific needs.