Give people back the words they’ve lost.
Found Words is a simple picture board for people living with speech loss — built around the real faces, places, and voices of their own lives.
Works on any phone, tablet, or computer. Nothing to install, no account to create.
Our mission
When a stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, or aphasia takes away someone’s speech, it doesn’t take away what they have to say. Found Words gives them a way to say it again — by tapping the faces and things that matter most to them.
It began as one family’s answer to watching a loved one lose their words. It worked. So we made it free for every family who needs it — with no ads, no subscriptions, and no data ever leaving the device.
Made for real lives, on both sides of the screen.
People finding their voice
Adults living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, or MS; stroke and brain-injury survivors with aphasia; and anyone whose words are slipping away.
The people beside them
Family members, partners, and adult children who set it up — plus speech-language pathologists and care staff who use it every day.
Their actual world
A photo of their coffee mug says more than any generic icon. Found Words is built from real pictures of a real life.
Set up in minutes. Simple enough to use every day.
Fill it with their world
A partner, child, or caregiver adds photos of the people, foods, and places they love — and can record a familiar voice to go with each one.
Arrange it their way
Gather the cards into simple groups — the people they love, favorite foods, the things they need — however makes sense for them.
Tap, and be understood
Big, clear pictures fill the screen. A tap shows everyone what they mean — and plays back a familiar voice, if one was recorded. It keeps working even without internet.
Their photos and voices never leave their device.
Found Words was made so families never have to trade privacy for help. The pictures and recordings simply stay on the device you use — there’s nothing to sign up for, and nothing is ever sold or shared.
- The photos and voices stay on your device — never uploaded anywhere.
- No account, no password, nothing to sign up for.
- Nothing is tracked, and nothing is ever sent to us or anyone else.
- You can save your own backup anytime — it’s yours to keep.
Keep Found Words free for every family.
Found Words has no ads, no subscriptions, and no one to answer to but the families who use it. Right now, the most powerful thing you can do is share it with someone who needs it. And if you’d like to help the project itself, you can support it on GitHub — a way to give directly is on the way.
⭐ Support us on GitHubA way to give directly is coming soon. Until then, thank you for helping us reach the families who need this.
Tell us your story — or ask us anything.
If Found Words has helped your family, if you have an idea, or if something isn’t working the way it should — we’d love to hear from you. We read every message.
This form opens your own email app with your message ready to send — it comes straight to us, with no third-party service in between. Prefer to write it yourself? Email hello@foundwords.org.