Helperbird

The Helperbird web browser extension adds customizable tools that make it easier to read and write online, such as enhanced contrast, text-to-speech, or word prediction. For more information, see Helperbird's website for a full list of features. 

Install the browser extension

1. Go to helperbird.com.
2. Click Download helperbird on the menu bar to download the Helperbird extension.
3. Select your preferred browser. Bryn Mawr recommends Chrome, and the instructions below will feature Chrome.
   
4. Click Add to Chrome.  

Adjust extension settings

Your web browser's extension settings control Helperbird's appearance and access. 

For example, in Chrome: 

1. On the Chrome browser bar, click (Extensions) to display your browser's Extensions list.
2. To manage when and how Helperbird has permission to access websites, click  (Extensions) >  (More actions) > Manage extension.
3. Optional: If you want to add the Helperbird icon to your Chrome menu bar for easier access, click (Pin).

See Chrome's Install and manage extensions guide for more details.  

Activate Helperbird Pro

You will need to  extension to Bryn Mawr's institutional subscription to access Pro features. The following instructions are for Chrome; in other browsers, the process will be similar, but the location, names, and icons used for the extensions list may look different.

1. Open the Assistive Technology Access document (requires log in) and copy the HelperBird Subscriber Key. 
2. Double-click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar (if you pinned it) or Extensions list to open it.
3. Click (Settings).  
   
   
4. Click Account.
5. Scroll down and paste the key you copied into the Subscription Key field (please make sure you do not leave any spaces before or after the key when you paste it in so that it will register correctly.)
6. Click Save. 

Use Helperbird

1. Double-click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar (if you pinned it) or Extensions list to open it.
2. The Quick Actions panel shows popular features; to customize, click + (Add to Quick Actions), then / (Add/Remove) next to features in the list.
3. Turn on the features you want to use: 
   • Scroll down, (search), or (filter) to find the feature you want.
   • Click that feature's (toggle switch) to turn it on.
   • Use any buttons or sliders that appear to customize its settings.
   • If you need more info, click (Options) and choose How to Use .
4. Once you have turned the features you need on, you can use the (Helperbird is off/on) by Quick Actions to enable and disable everything at once if needed.

See Helpbird's Overview accessibility and productivity features and Top 10 most popular features for info about available features.

Questions?

If you have any additional questions or problems, don't hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!

Phone: 610-526-7440 | Library and Help Desk hours
Email: help@brynmawr.edu | Service catalog
Location: Canaday Library 1st floor