Recommendation 4.3.15:
Let the user customize the chatbot interface
Benefits Users
Visual | Auditory | Cognitive | Speech | Physical
Relevant W3C Guidance
Phase 1: Gather & Organize
See Also
Phase 2: Design & Implement
Design Question
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What controls will you use to let users customize the interface?
- Sliders or other continuously variable inputs allow the user to select an interface characteristic from a range. This gives the user many choices but requires more development and testing effort to make sure that each potential selection is legible and meets design standards. For example, a user might be free to choose a font size between 8 and 32, which means the Developer and Tester must check the user experience with each size in that range. Toggles or other discrete inputs allow the user to select one of a handful of options. With fewer choices, it’s important that each choice is rigorously tested for legibility. What’s more, the choices need to be carefully chosen to offer an accessible experience to the greatest variety of users. For example, if users can select one of three color palettes, it’s important that at least one of the color palettes is accessible to each version of color-blindness.
Examples
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Audio volume
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Speech rate (if text-to-speech is available)
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Color palette
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Font
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Font size
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Chatbot size
Phase 3: Test & Evaluate
Self Check
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Can the user adjust the volume of the chatbot audio outputs?
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Can the user adjust the speech rate of the chatbot audio outputs?
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Can the user adjust font size and color?
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Can the user magnify the chatbot interface?
Ask the User
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Can you adjust the chatbot’s visual and audio settings to your needs and preferences?
- This question is subjective; use a Likert scale. This question should be asked post-study.
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Can you adjust the chatbot’s conversation settings (including volume and speech rate control) to your needs and preferences?
- This question is subjective; use a Likert scale. This question should be asked post-study.