Software:Helperbird

From HandWiki
Helperbird
TypePrivately held company
IndustryTechnology, Education
Founded15 January 2015; 9 years ago (2015-01-15), in Blarney, Cork, Ireland.[1]
FounderRobert James Gabriel
HeadquartersCork, Ireland
Area served
Global
Products
  • Helperbird for Chrome[2]
  • Helperbird for Firefox[3]
  • Helperbird for Edge[4]
ServicesProductivity Software, Dyslexia & Accessibility Software
Websitehttps://www.helperbird.com

Helperbird Dyslexia & Accessibility Software is a browser extension which allows people with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, and other reading difficulties to make the web more accessible and productive. Providing them with text to speech, optical character recognition, dyslexia support, dictation, immersive reader,[5] overlays, Reader mode, Immersive reader and more.[6]

Founded in 2015 by Robert James Gabriel,[7][8] who is dyslexic.[9] As of 2020 the company stated that its software was in use by over 400,000 users.[9][10]

Company history

Robert James Gabriel founded the company Helperbird in 2015.[11] This company is based in Cork, Ireland and builds accessibility software which it also markets as "Helperbird".[11][12]

Frustrated by his dyslexia and the cost and lack of support in accessibility software, Robert James created Helperbird to help with his own needs and for people with and without learning difficulties, which would be easy-to-use and generic enough to be used.[13]

In October 2018, Helperbird launched "Helperbird for Firefox" and in January 2020 launched "Helperbird for Edge".[12]

In February 2020, Helperbird entered a partnership with Microsoft, integrating their immersive reader software.[14][15]

In March 2020, Helperbird and Robert James were named by Forbes to be one of their "social entrepreneurs to watch" in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.[16][17]

In February 2021, Helperbird announced that all Irish residents would be able to get "Helperbird Pro" for free.[18][19]

Products

Helperbird markets a number of versions of Helperbird, including Helperbird for Chrome, Helperbird for Firefox, and Helperbird for Edge. The first version of Helperbird was launched while Robert James was an intern at Teamwork.com.[13]

Awards

In 2020, Helperbird was listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 2020.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Helperbird information" (in en-US). https://www.helperbird.com/about. 
  2. ↑ "Helperbird for Google Chrome" (in en-US). https://www.helperbird.com/chrome. 
  3. ↑ "Helperbird for Firefox" (in en-US). https://www.helperbird.com/firefox. 
  4. ↑ "Helperbird for Edge" (in en-US). https://www.helperbird.com/edge. 
  5. ↑ "Live from BETT: What's new in EDU–Fostering an accessible, inclusive classroom that works for all students | | Microsoft EDU" (in en-US). 2020-01-24. https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2020/01/live-from-bett-whats-new-in-edu-fostering-an-accessible-inclusive-classroom-that-works-for-all-students/. 
  6. ↑ Flakes, Savanna (2020-11-23) (in en). Shaking Up Special Education: Instructional Moves to Increase Achievement. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-21662-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=4yUAEAAAQBAJ&q=%22Helperbird%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT55. 
  7. ↑ "S5E13 - Robert James Gabriel - Helperbird.com by EduTechGuys • A podcast on Anchor" (in en). https://anchor.fm/edutechguys/episodes/S5E13---Robert-James-Gabriel---Helperbird-com-e892dt. 
  8. ↑ "Robert James Gabriel" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/profile/robert-james-gabriel/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gleeson, Colin. "Six Irish people included on Forbes 30 under 30 list" (in en). https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/six-irish-people-included-on-forbes-30-under-30-list-1.4205031. 
  10. ↑ "Helperbird Users" (in en). http://datastudio.google.com/reporting/3e86f5ee-b27b-4bb6-bfdc-90c1dd67f06e/page/1M?feature=opengraph. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "About Helperbird and our story" (in en). https://www.helperbird.com/about. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "'We are stopping youngsters from achieving their true potential' – IT entrepreneur on how dyslexia went undiagnosed for years" (in en). https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/we-are-stopping-youngsters-from-achieving-their-true-potential-it-entrepreneur-on-how-dyslexia-went-undiagnosed-for-years-40208347.html. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Engineering, Teamwork (2017-08-18). "Developing a Chrome Extension for Dyslexics" (in en). https://engineroom.teamwork.com/developing-a-chrome-extension-for-dyslexics-7905750c749a. 
  14. ↑ "6 new Immersive Reader partners: Flocabulary, Haldor, Helperbird, itslearning, Kidblog & Pear Deck | | Microsoft EDU" (in en-US). 2020-01-20. https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2020/01/6-new-immersive-reader-partners-flocabulary-haldor-helperbird-itslearning-kidblog-pear-deck/. 
  15. ↑ "6 new Immersive Reader partners: Flocabulary, Haldor, Helperbird, itslearning, Kidblog & Pear Deck" (in en). 2020-01-20. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/education-blog/6-new-immersive-reader-partners-flocabulary-haldor-helperbird/ba-p/1077608. 
  16. ↑ "6 Irish entrepreneurs make Forbes '30 under 30' 2020". 2020-03-19. https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/irish-entrepreneurs-forbes-30-under-30-2020/. 
  17. ↑ "Robert James Gabriel" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/profile/robert-james-gabriel/. 
  18. ↑ Kane, Anne-Marie. "A Dyslexia Education Support Service". https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-newstalk-breakfast/a-dyslexia-education-support-service. 
  19. ↑ Staines, Michael. "Irish children with learning difficulties 'being left behind' - Cork IT entrepreneur". https://www.newstalk.com/news/top-global-it-entrepreneur-warns-irish-children-with-learning-difficulties-being-left-behind-1169638. 
  20. ↑ "30 Under 30 Europe 2020: Social Entrepreneurs" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2020/europe/social-entrepreneurs/. 

External links



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