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Making the web accessible for everyone using Chrome's built-in AI to transform complex content into readable, personalized formats for people with diverse cognitive needs.

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What Inspired Me

The web should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their cognitive abilities. I discovered that 15-20% of the population has some form of reading difficulty, from dyslexia to ADHD to processing challenges. Yet most websites are designed for neurotypical readers, creating barriers that exclude millions of people from accessing information online.

I was inspired by the recent release of Chrome's built-in Gemini Nano AI and saw an great opportunity to create privacy-first, offline accessibility tools that could run entirely in the user's browser.

What I Built

HelpLexia is a Chrome extension that leverages Chrome's Gemini Nano AI to provide:

AI-Powered Features

  • AI-Enhanced Bionic Reading: Extracts main content and applies bionic reading formatting
  • AI Text Summarization: Creates intelligent summaries while preserving key information
  • AI Text Enhancement: Rewrites content for improved readability and comprehension

Visual Accessibility Tools

  • 6 Visual Themes: From high contrast to sepia, designed for different visual needs
  • 4 Fonts Support: OpenDyslexic, Lexend(ADHD), Comic Sans MS and Atkinson Hyperlegible
  • Advanced Spacing Controls: Real-time adjustment of line, letter, and word spacing

Cognitive Enhancement Profiles

  • Comprehension Mode: Maintains sophistication while improving clarity
  • Attention Mode: Restructures content with clear organization
  • Pattern Processing Mode: Uses consistent structures for easier cognitive processing

🔧 How I Built It

Technical Architecture

  • Chrome Extension (Manifest V3): Modern extension architecture with proper security
  • Content Script Integration: Seamless communication between popup and page content
  • Chrome Gemini Nano API: Direct integration with Chrome's built-in AI
  • Intelligent Fallbacks: Works universally, even without AI enabled

Key Innovations

  1. First Chrome Gemini Nano Extension: I am among one of the first to implement Chrome's built-in AI features
  2. 3-Tier Content Extraction: Smart algorithms to find main content on any webpage
  3. Privacy-First Design: 100% local processing, zero external data transmission

Technologies Used

  • Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+)
  • AI Integration: Chrome Gemini Nano API
  • Architecture: Chrome Extension APIs, Storage API, Tabs API
  • Design: Custom CSS with accessibility-first approach

💡 What I Learned

Technical Learnings

  • Chrome AI Integration: Working with bleeding-edge browser APIs and handling their limitations
  • Content Extraction: The complexity of reliably extracting main content from diverse web structures
  • Accessibility Design: Balancing visual appeal with functional accessibility needs
  • Error Handling: Building robust fallback systems for experimental technologies

Accessibility Insights

  • User Diversity: Cognitive accessibility needs vary enormously between individuals
  • Privacy Matters: Users with cognitive differences are often privacy-conscious about their data
  • Customization is Key: No single solution works for everyone - flexibility is essential

🚧 Challenges I Faced

Technical Challenges

  1. Chrome AI Limitations: Gemini Nano is experimental and requires specific Chrome versions
  2. Content Extraction Complexity: Different websites have vastly different structures
  3. Performance Optimization: Balancing AI processing with responsive user experience
  4. Cross-Site Compatibility: Making features work across diverse website architectures

Solutions I Developed

  • Comprehensive Fallbacks: Extension works perfectly even without AI
  • Multi-Tier Extraction: Multiple strategies to find content on any page
  • Progressive Enhancement: Features degrade gracefully based on available capabilities
  • Smart Error Handling: User-friendly messages and alternative pathways

🎯 Impact and Future

Real-World Impact

  • Immediate Accessibility: Helps users with dyslexia, ADHD, and processing challenges
  • Educational Benefits: Makes complex content more digestible for students
  • Professional Use: Enables better comprehension of work-related documents
  • Privacy Protection: No external services means sensitive information stays private

What's Next

  • Supporting content processing in multiple languages
  • Adapting to individual user preferences over time
  • Sharing accessibility profiles and configurations
  • Educational institution partnerships
  • Collaboration with disability advocacy groups

🏆 Why HelpLexia Stands Out

  • Universal Compatibility: Works on every website with intelligent fallbacks
  • Privacy-First: Zero external data transmission - everything stays local
  • Real Accessibility Impact: Addresses genuine needs of 15-20% of the population

HelpLexia represents the future of web accessibility - where AI-powered tools make the internet truly inclusive for everyone, while respecting user privacy and working universally across the web.

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