Chatbot Accessibility Playbook

Recommendation 4.3.10:
Select a chatbot size that is easily legible but not unwieldy

Benefits Users

Icon for VisualIcon for PhysicalVisual | Physical

Icon for StandardRelevant W3C Guidance


Phase 1: Gather & Organize

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Phase 2: Design & Implement

Icon for Design QuestionDesign Question

  • What is too big and too small for your chatbot?

    • Bigger is usually better, at least when it comes to the chatbot window and the individual elements, like buttons, within the window. Buttons should especially be big enough for use on a touch screen if that is a way users might interact with the chatbot. However, the chatbot window may be too large if it obscures important content on the website when viewed on a desktop or laptop screen. If the user can resize the chatbot, make sure that any buttons for minimizing and maximizing use familiar icons.

Icon for TipTip

  • Consider enabling users to change chatbot window size as they need, for example, to customize the chatbot window size or to make it fill the browser window. Follow OS interaction paradigms for controls to maximizing and minimizing chatbot window size.


Phase 3: Test & Evaluate

Icon for Self CheckSelf Check

  • At 100% magnification, each chatbot message fits within the chatbot window.

Icon for Ask the UserAsk the User

  • Is the amount of scrolling you need to do acceptable?

    • This question is subjective; use a Likert scale. This question can be asked mid-study or post-study.



References

22, 23, 28