The Story Behind Helperbird

Helperbird started as a simple idea by Robert James Gabriel back in 2015, born from his own need to make learning less of a struggle.
What began as a personal project quickly turned into something bigger – a way to help anyone who wants an easier way to learn and succeed.

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. I went on to win an award that brought my school 8,000 euros – something I couldn’t have achieved without my parents’ belief in me.

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 to keep it going strong all these years.

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. I offer a free version to ensure accessibility for all and keep Pro features affordable to support ongoing improvements. Accessibility isn’t just a feature in Helperbird – it’s the heart of what I do. I’m committed to building a tool that meets or exceeds accessibility standards, so it’s usable by anyone who needs it.

Helperbird’s journey has been incredible, thanks to the supportive community that’s helped it grow. Your feedback, stories, and suggestions inspire each update, and I’m grateful to the community that’s shaped Helperbird into what it is today. Accessibility is a journey, and every one of your experiences helps me make Helperbird better for the next person.

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. And don’t forget to follow us on YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter to stay connected. You can even reach out directly if you have ideas for new features or just want to share your story with Helperbird. I’d love to hear from you!

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

Core Values

My mission is simple to make the web accessible for everyone. I believe in accessibility, empathy, and community. These values guide me every day as I work to create tools that make life a little easier for people with dyslexia, visual impairments, and other reading challenges. Helperbird is more than just software – it's a way to support each person’s unique journey. Join our community, and let’s make a difference together!

Accessibility for All: Everyone deserves a web they can navigate with ease. I believe that the internet should be usable by everyone, no matter their abilities. That’s why I’m committed to building tools that empower people to access information in a way that’s right for them.
Empathy First: Helperbird was built from my own experiences and understanding. I know what it feels like to face barriers, and that’s why empathy is at the core of everything I create. Helperbird is designed with compassion and care, to help others overcome their own challenges.
Simplicity and Ease: Tools that help shouldn’t be complicated. Learning should be easy, not harder. That’s why I focus on designing Helperbird to be simple and easy to use – no extra steps or confusion, just helpful features that work.
Continuous Growth: Always listening, learning, and improving. The internet and the needs of our community are constantly evolving, and so is Helperbird. I’m dedicated to growing and improving it with each update, guided by your feedback and the ever-changing world of accessibility.
Affordability Matters: Helpful tools should be within reach for everyone. I keep prices as low as possible and offer a free version so that no one is left out. Helperbird exists to make a difference, and part of that is making sure my tools are accessible to anyone who needs them.
Community-Driven Design: Helperbird is shaped by the people who use it. Every suggestion, review, and story from our community helps shape Helperbird. I’m here to listen and to build a tool that truly supports your needs, because Helperbird belongs to all of us.

People Are Loving Helperbird

Over 700,000 users are already making the web easier to read, learn, and enjoy with Helperbird. Come see what the excitement is all about.