We’re offering our learners free access to Helperbird, a browser extension that will let you change web pages to suit your online reading and learning style.
Helperbird will let you customise web pages (including iQualify course pages), PDFs and online documents to improve accessibility and reading, making it easier for you to study.
For example, you could:
- change the font size
- use rulers
- have text read to you in a natural sounding voice and much more.
You can use Helperbird for free while you are studying with us.
Video introduction to Helperbird and its features
Learn more about Helperbird's features
Unsure if Helperbird is right for you?
If you would like to talk to someone to help you decide if Helperbird will be useful for you contact:
disabilityandaccessservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
You can also try a free trial of Helperbird before installing a full version. Just go to their website and click the ‘Try it for free’ button on the top right.
What browsers and devices you can use Helperbird on
Open Polytechnic learners can use Helperbird on Windows and Mac computers on:
- Chrome (we recommend you use Chrome when using iQualify)
- Edge (Windows only).
You can also use it on Google docs addon and Google slides addon.
Helperbird works on iPad and iPhone if they are iOS 15.0 or later, but it is missing some features. You need to download it separately for each.
Install Helperbird on your iPad
Install Helperbird on your iPhone
How to get Helperbird
To get the full version of Helperbird you need to:
- Log into the browser you want to use Helperbird on with your Open Polytechnic email (FirstnameLastname@myop.ac.nz).
- Install Helperbird.
- Log into Helperbird.
These steps are outlined below. If you need help, information about how to contact our Service Desk is at the bottom of this page.
Go to Service Desk support section
1. Log into your browser with your @myop.ac.nz email
This section includes instructions for how to log into your browser if you:
- Are not logged into your browser with any email, OR
- Are logged in with another email.
(If you are already logged into your browser with your @myop.ac.nz email skip to the ‘How to install Helperbird’ section.)
If you are not logged into your browser with any email
1. Click on the person icon on the top right.
2. Click the sign in button or ‘Add account’ link (this may differ depending on the browser you use).
3. Click ‘Create account’ on the bottom left.
4. Then select ‘For myself’.
5. Fill in the details, including your @myop.ac.nz email to create an account, and follow the steps to verify the account. (You need to have your @myop email open so you can get the verification pin that will be emailed to you).
After you are logged into your browser with with your @myop.ac.nz email you can install Helperbird (see the steps below).
If you are logged into your browser with another email (not your @myop.ac.nz email)
1. Click on your profile icon on the top right of your browser. (This might be a photo, icon or the first letter of your name depending on how you have set it up).
2. Under ‘Other profiles’ click ‘Add’.
3. This will take you to the ‘Set up your new Chrome profile’ screen. Click ‘Sign in’.
4. Click ‘Create account’ on the bottom left.
5. Then select ‘For myself’.
6. Fill in the details, including your @myop.ac.nz email to create an account, and follow the steps to verify the account. (You will need to have your @myop email open so you can get the verification pin that will be emailed to you).
Once the account is set up, you can choose between your @myop.ac.nz and other profiles by clicking on the profile icon and selecting the profile you want to use.
2. Install Helperbird
After you log into your browser with your @myop.ac.nz email:
- Go to the Helperbird website (use the button below).
- Click the 'Try for free' button on the top right.
- Select the browser you are using from the list (Chrome or Edge). This will take you to the extension store.
- Click 'Add to Chrome' or 'Get' (the button name depends on the browser you use).
Helperbird will immediately be added to your extensions, and may show up in your toolbar (look for the owl icon).
If you can’t see the owl icon:
- Click the puzzle icon in your task bar.
- Find Helperbird in the list and click the pin icon to pin it to your taskbar.
3. Log into Helperbird
Next you need to log into Helperbird with your @myop.ac.nz email to get all the features of Helperbird pro.
1. Click on the Helperbird icon in your toolbar.
2. Click on the settings con that looks like a cog to open the dropdown.
3. Click ‘Login’.
4. This will take you to the Account screen. Click the 'Login' button.
Your Open Polytechnic email will show and the button will change to say ‘Log out’.
How to use Helperbird
We've included some information below to get you started, but the best place to go for help with how to use Helperbird is their website. They have videos and step by step guides for all features.
Helperbird support – how to guides for all the features
Turning Helperbird on
Once installed, Helperbird is usually turned on by default, and the owl icon will say ‘On’.
If it says off:
- Click on the Helperbird icon (sometimes it is a little slow so wait after you click).
- Click the the 'Helperbird is off' toggle right to turn it on.
Turning features on and off
- Click the Helperbird owl icon.
- Scroll down to see all the features.
- To turn on a feature select the changes you want to apply to the webpage or document. For example, to change the font colour you click a colour to choose it (see the image below).
- Then click the toggle to turn it on (circled in the image).
- Helperbird will then let you know it has saved your setting.
If you aren’t sure how to use a feature or want to make it a favourite click the ellipsis (three dots) to the right of a section heading.
Support
If you need help to log into your browser, install Helperbird and turn it on, contact our Technical Service Desk:
- Freephone 0508 650 200
- service.desk@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
If your issue is with with the tool itself or one of the Helperbird features contact Helperbird directly:
If you would like to talk to someone to help you decide if Helperbird will be useful for you contact: