About Manex SNS
Who We Are
Richard Barber is the founder and director of Manex Special Needs Services (Manex SNS). An ex-military electronics engineer and project manager, he has decades of problem-solving experience using a wide variety of technologies.
Richard also has considerable experience solving physical challenges for people with special needs both for family members and as a volunteer for disability organisations.
Now semi-retired, he established Manex SNS so that he can continue to use his problem-solving skills and experience to help people with special needs to live their best life. He offers his time and energy for free, charging only enough to cover running costs.
HOW WE STARTED
Richard Barber is the founder and director of Manex.
As an electronics engineer with international experience in emerging technologies, Richard brings decades of problem-solving experience and passion to his work. But what truly drives him is his family.
Richard has lived alongside the daily barriers that disability creates. He knows the frustration of not having the right tools or aids, and the joy of finally having one that makes a difference.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Why choose Manex Special Needs Services
We’re here for people, not profit
Manex isn’t about dollars, it’s about purpose. Every aid we design or provide is created to help someone live more freely and feel more included. We just cover unavoidable costs, no profit.
It’s personal to us
Disability isn’t an abstract concept in our world. It’s our family, our friends, and our community. We know the frustrations and the small wins, and we pour that understanding into our work.
Small but mighty
We’re mighty because we are small, experienced and determined. We think outside the box and engage with you personally. We aim to provide simple, effective, tailored solutions that larger organisations are not set up to deliver.
True innovation is simple
We refine every aid until it’s as simple and practical as possible, stripping away unnecessary complexity to create solutions that are intuitive, effective, and never clunky.
Driven by hope
At our core, we believe in giving people the chance to thrive. To ride the bike, to join the game, to achieve big things, to live with agency and pride.
Collaboration
We’re building a network of people and organisations willing to support us with their time and experience. From engineers, to CAD experts, disability organisations and occupational therapists. And if your needs can be better met by someone else rather than by us, we’ll happily refer you.