I am an assistive technology consultant for 30 school districts. I am adding Helperbird to the list of reading resources that I have available.
Denise Young
Parent
The story behind Helperbird
What started as a personal project in 2015 became a mission to make reading, learning, and the web accessible for everyone.
our story
Trusted by teams at
Hey there!
I'm Robert James Gabriel, the founder (and the one and only developer!) behind Helperbird. This project wasn't just a business - it was personal, created from my own experiences and needs.
Growing up in Ireland, school was a struggle. When I was 15, my English teacher told my parents I should drop out. That news was devastating, but my parents didn't give up on me. After testing, they discovered I had dyslexia, and with their support, I was able to turn things around.
In January 2015, during an internship at Teamwork.com, I created the first version of Helperbird to learn coding and help me study. What started as a small tool to make web browsing easier quickly grew into something much bigger. And coming up on ten years now, it's still just me here, developing and supporting Helperbird.
Helperbird's mission is simple: to make reading, learning, and navigating the web easier and more accessible for everyone. Whether you have dyslexia, low vision, ADHD, or just want tools to improve focus and productivity, Helperbird is here for you.
If Helperbird has made a positive difference for you, please consider leaving a five-star review - it helps others discover us and grow our mission.
Thank you for being part of Helperbird's story. My goal is to make a difference, and I'm honored to be part of yours.
With love,
Robert James Gabriel
Founder & Developer, Helperbird
from the heart
Core values
These values guide every feature, every update, and every conversation.
Accessibility for All
Everyone deserves a web they can navigate with ease. Helperbird is built to empower people to access information in a way that's right for them.
Empathy First
Helperbird was built from lived experience. Empathy is at the core of everything - designed with compassion to help others overcome their own challenges.
Simplicity & Ease
Tools that help shouldn't be complicated. Helperbird is designed to be simple and easy to use — no extra steps, just helpful features that work.
Continuous Growth
Always listening, learning, and improving. Helperbird evolves with each update, guided by your feedback and the changing world of accessibility.
Affordability Matters
A free version ensures accessibility for all, and Pro features stay affordable. No one should be left out because of cost.
Community-Driven
Every suggestion, review, and story from our community helps shape Helperbird. It belongs to all of us.
we care!
Stay connected
Follow along, share your story, or just say hi.
Wow i am really glad someone had this idea. We need more helper tools like this.
Mohammad Karzai
Helperbird user
This tool helps so many of our students at school - not only those students who have dyslexia, but students and adults who have other learning differences (and those who don't!). It helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their learning!
Kim Norris
Helperbird user
This is a great little extension, lightweight and non intrusive. With dyslexia its reading that's an issue, not the underlying intelligence. An aid such as this one, can help deliver the world to some who may not otherwise have received it. Great Work.
Colm Murphy
Helperbird user
I found this extension on a whim to help myself. Suffering with post concussion syndrome symptoms and working remotely is really hard! This extension basically saved my job. It gave me back productivity and the ability to read the screen. This extension has so many neat features I never even knew I needed. I love this and you will too! You don't need to be dyslexic or have dyslexia for this extension to benefit you. Do yourself a giant favor and get it! I highly recommend it!
Catherine Contillo
Helperbird user
love it! I want it on Word and on all my applications now...
Vernon Dickey
Helperbird user
Download Helperbird
Make browsing easier and more accessible with tools like Text to Speech, Immersive Reader, and more.