Public Computers Are a Lifeline for Seniors
For many older adults, the computer at their local library or community center is their primary way to get online. They use these machines to apply for benefits, read the news, communicate with family, access health portals, and complete government forms. But shared public computers rarely come with accessibility tools pre-installed.
Helperbird changes that by giving every visitor instant access to the tools they need, with no accounts, no downloads, and no training required.
The Deployment
Libraries and community centers install Helperbird as a Chrome extension on their shared computers. Using the Google Admin Console or browser group policy, IT staff can deploy it across every machine at once. The extension loads automatically when someone opens the browser and is ready to use immediately.
Because Helperbird does not require a login and stores no personal data, it is safe for shared, public-access environments. When the browser session ends, everything resets.
How Seniors Use Helperbird at the Library
Applying for Government Benefits
A senior visiting the library to apply for Social Security, Medicare, or housing assistance encounters long, text-heavy government forms. With Helperbird, they can increase the font size, use Text-to-Speech to hear instructions read aloud, and use Voice Typing to fill in form fields by speaking instead of typing. The Line Focus tool helps them track which line they are reading on dense pages.
Researching Health Information
A senior looking up medication information or reading about a diagnosis can use Simplify to convert medical jargon into plain language. Reading Mode removes ads and sidebars so they can focus on the article. They can adjust the background color to reduce screen glare, which is especially helpful for visitors with age-related vision changes.
Reading eBooks and Digital Resources
Many libraries offer digital books and articles through their websites. Helperbird's Text-to-Speech turns any text on screen into an audiobook-like experience. Seniors can adjust the reading speed, choose a voice they find comfortable, and follow along with the highlighted text as it is read.
Emailing Family
Writing emails on a shared computer can be slow for seniors who are not confident typists. Voice Typing lets them speak their message. Text-to-Speech reads replies from family members aloud. Larger fonts and better contrast make the inbox easier to scan.
For Library IT Staff
Helperbird is designed to be easy to deploy and manage on shared computers.
Deployment options include:
- Google Admin Console for Chromebooks and Chrome browser fleets
- Group policy for Windows machines running Chrome or Edge
- Manual installation on individual Macs using Safari
Admin controls include:
- Lock specific settings so visitors cannot accidentally change them
- Disable features that are not appropriate for your environment
- Set excluded domains where Helperbird should not run
- Pre-configure default font sizes, colors, and reading preferences
The extension is lightweight and does not interfere with other software on the machine.
Grant-Friendly Pricing
Helperbird offers annual pricing that works with grant-funded budgets. There are no per-seat fees for public-access machines, and multi-year commitments are not required. Organizations can renew year by year as funding allows.
Getting Started
If your library or community center wants to make shared computers more accessible for seniors and other visitors, Helperbird can be up and running in minutes.
Contact us to discuss deployment for your organization, or visit our pricing page to get started.
