NARBE Foundation | News and Updates

DIY Guide: How to Build Benny’s 2-Switch Kit  At the NARBE Foundation , our mission is simple: make accessibility open, low-cost, and available to absolutely everyone. We’ve heard from amazing communities in Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Mexico asking how they can replicate our setup. Because we can’t ship physical kits outside of the United States, we wanted to put the power directly into your hands. The best news? Our entire system is completely open-source.  Our switch kits cost about $60 to put together (In the U.S.), compared to $200 or more from other manufacturers. Benny's switch kit is a simple set of physical buttons that allows someone with limited mobility to control a web app using just one or two movements. Instead of a keyboard or mouse, a person can press a large button with their hand, foot, elbow, or any movement that works for them. Benny's Hub is a free website hosted by the NARBE Foundation , where people who use one or two switches can play games...

When you're just starting to look into assistive technology for a loved one, the options can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? What's worth the money? Is there a way to try something before you buy it? We recently came across a resource that answers a lot of those questions in one place, and we wanted to share it with our community. First, a quick glossary If you're new to this world, you'll run into a lot of acronyms and jargon. Here are some of the most common terms you'll see, both on Explore AT and across the AT space in general: AT (Assistive Technology): Any device, software, or equipment that helps a person with a disability do something they otherwise couldn't, or do it more easily. This can be as simple as a grab bar in a bathroom or as advanced as a speech-generating computer. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): Tools and strategies that help people communicate when speech alone isn't enough. AAC can be low-tech, like a ...

The NARBE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to share free and low cost switch accessible games and tools, provide helpful resources in assistive tech, and donate hardware to families and supporters of people with disabilities so they can play games and connect with the world through technology.  Below are some links that might be helpful to you. 🌐 OUR WEBSITE Find information about our nonprofit, contact info, resources, and more. 🔗 narbefoundation.org 🎮 BENNY'S ACCESSIBILITY HUB A growing library of free tools and games focused on switch access. The hub can also be navigated with a mouse, Spacebar and Enter on a keyboard, or with adapted switches. This is a direct link to the free web app. No downloads or sign up required. 🔗 narbefoundation.org/bennyshub/ 🚀 GETTING STARTED New to switch access and not sure where to begin? This page will help you get started.  We always recommend consulting a Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Assistive...

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the NARBE Foundation is excited to offer switch kit donations to individuals who can benefit from switch-accessible technology. Each kit includes two switches, an adapter configured to the Enter and Spacebar keys, and a splitter. Together, these tools allow users to navigate and interact with a computer using just two switches, the same way Ben does. These kits are a great match for Benny's Accessibility Hub, a free, open-access platform featuring switch-accessible games and tools available to everyone right now. No application needed to use the Hub! You can visit Benny's Accessibility Hub here: https://narbefoundation.org/bennyshub/ The Hub works with a variety of input methods including a mouse, touchscreen, or switches configured to Spacebar and Enter, so users can get started however works best for them. If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving a switch kit, we invite you to apply using the link below. Kits are dona...

February 21, 2026 at 12:30 PM EST, The NARBE Foundation  is hosting a free webinar on Benny’s Accessibility Hub, presented by NARBE House. You will be able to explore the Hub, see how it works, and ask questions live. Please register through Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9cVjjCplShqJDOsiQSBxtg Benny’s Accessibility Hub is a free, open source web app designed for switch access. It can be used with one switch using auto scan, two switches, space bar and enter on a keyboard, or a touchscreen on a tablet or phone. No downloads required or behind any paywalls. The Hub includes a growing library of games and tools that allow users to independently navigate and choose what they want to do using just one or two inputs. To explore the Hub and see the available tools and games, visit our foundation’s website and click “Benny’s Hub” at narbefoundation.org

NARBE House recently released a full demo of the latest update to Ben’s custom-built accessibility software, and we wanted to give our community a quick overview of what it includes. Ben is non-speaking and has very limited movement due to TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy. Using just two head switches, he independently controls his computer through an AI-developed communication and media system built specifically around two-button access. This update highlights how the system continues to grow alongside him. What the System Allows Ben to Do With two simple head movements, Ben can: Communicate using phrase boards and predictive text Write journal entries Search YouTube and Google images Stream shows and movies Send messages Play a full library of custom-built games The interface is fully customizable. Colors, themes, text-to-speech, and scan settings can all be adjusted to meet individual needs. There is even an autoscan mode for single-button users. One of the most powerful parts of the ...

Big update to   Benny’s Accessibility Hub   🎮✨ NARBE House just added more free games that anyone can try. These games are made to be simple, fun, and accessible. They work with switches, touch screens, keyboard input like space bar and enter, and other adaptive tech if it’s already on your device. These games were created because there is a gap when it comes to free switch access games out there for people with complex needs. The games are designed to reduce overwhelm, use just one or two inputs, and avoid fast reaction timing so players with complex needs can play at their own pace. Some games even include editors so you can create custom versions for the person you’re building for. You can submit your creations too and we may feature them on the hub. You can access Benny's Accessibility Hub through the foundation's website: https://narbefoundation.org/bennyshub/

  We’re honored to have the NARBE Foundation featured on  Reclaiming AI , Chantelle’s Substack publication exploring ethical, human-centered uses of artificial intelligence. The article highlights how our foundation grew from a real caregiving need and how simple, adaptable technology can restore access, autonomy, and joy for people with complex communication and physical disabilities. Through Ben’s journey, the piece shows what’s possible when AI is used to support dignity, independence, and connection rather than efficiency alone. It reflects the heart of our mission: building open, accessible tools that meet people where they are and empower families to create solutions that truly work. Please check out the article here: https://substack.com/inbox/post/182996035?r=6u496x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true&triedRedirect=true If you’re on Substack, a restack helps this story reach more families, caregivers, and builders who care about acc...

We are excited to share that the   NARBE Foundation   has awarded a $1,000 grant to   Switched Toys   to support their ongoing research and development work. At Switched Adapted Toys, their mission is  Making Play Possible . They are dedicated to providing resources, how-to videos, and adapted toys that empower children with disabilities to play, learn, and grow. We are also working together to explore ways to make switches more affordable for families, and we hope to donate hardware kits later this year to further support access to adaptive play. Their work aligns closely with our commitment to accessibility, independence, and joy through technology. We are proud to support the impact they are making. 🔗 Learn more:  https://switchedtoys.org

The Founders of the NARBE Foundation was selected as guest speakers at the 2025 Assistive Technology Conference of New England. This video shares the story of how their family used creativity and AI to give Ben, a nonverbal adult living with TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy, a way to communicate and play again. It all began with a simple question: what do you do when the technology that exists is not enough? Ben has always been joyful, competitive, and playful. As his condition progressed, he gradually lost speech, mobility, and independence. Commercial assistive technology could not keep up. Eye tracking failed due to nystagmus, head tracking was unreliable, and none of the available tools brought him joy. Games had always been Ben’s greatest source of freedom, yet most assistive tools were designed for survival, not happiness. During the pandemic, Ben’s health declined rapidly. That crisis brought the family back together. Nancy and Ari moved across the country, rebuilt Ben’s care, reno...