Robert James
I build things that make the web easier to use.
I'm a software engineer and founder from Cork, Ireland. I created and run Helperbird, an accessibility toolkit used by more than a million people.
I'm dyslexic, which is really the whole reason any of this exists — I wanted the web to work better for people like me, so I started building it. That work ended up on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which I still find a bit surreal.
What I'm working on
July 2026Helperbird
FounderAn accessibility toolkit for the web — reading, writing and browsing made easier. Over a million people use it. This is where most of my time goes.
Coffee & Fun LLC
FounderThe company behind Helperbird and the rest of my software. Small, independent, and focused on tools that are useful, accessible and a bit of fun.
Writing again
Side questGetting back into writing about accessibility, browser extensions and the odd thing I break along the way.
Things I've built
Browser extensions, Mac and iOS apps, and a fair few websites.
Recent writing
My Markdown Editor for Safari Just Hit 26 in Developer Tools on the App Store!
My Markdown Editor for Safari hit number 26 in the Developer Tools category on the App Store. Here's a quick update on the rebu...
Finding an Exploit and Annoying the Xbox Dev Team
How a late-night coding session turned into an Xbox exploit that got Major Nelson's attention and ended with my access getting ...
What's in my Bag 2018
I recently read a book about the minimal life. I'm no hipster, and I am a privileged Irish man. So I didn't have to worry about...
Say hello
I like hearing from people — about accessibility, a project you're working on, or just to say hi. I'm most responsive on Twitter and GitHub.