The world-first Circletalk app helps people with disability, their families and carers communicate quickly, securely and effectively with their inner support circle.
The app is designed to give users agency over sharing chosen information, strengths, interests and needs, providing people in their circle with consensual visibility over that information.
“Circletalk was born from a simple idea: everyone deserves to have their voice heard, their needs understood, and their interests and hopes supported,” said founder Liz Wheeldon.
“Too often, people with disability and their families have to repeat the same information across multiple services. Our platform keeps everything in one secure, participant-led space, so conversations and meetings are easier, support is more connected, and everyone in the circle knows what’s working and what matters today.”
How does Circletalk work?
Circletalk allows participants, parents, carers, and professionals to build collaborative, trusted circles of both formal and informal support while maintaining full control over what information is shared and with whom.
It is not intended as a clinical record. Instead, it records a person’s strengths, interests, day-to-day needs and short and long term “things you want to do” (rather than ‘goals’), in a user-led communication hub.
It will assist anyone living with disability, but in particular those with autism and other invisible disabilities.
The user, or their parent/carer, establishes a ‘profile’ on the app. It can cover everything from optionally disclosing their disability or condition, explaining their sensory and mobility strengths in their own words, right through to their, to do list, hobbies, study and work preferences and even preferred assistive technologies.
People in their circle – like family members, teachers, health workers, employers and community members – are invited into the profile with consent and are given free access to this information.
Users can update their profile at any time and their invited circle will have an instant view of changes.
Circletalk in the real world
Jacob Alan Kness, Circletalk ambassador with lived-experience of autism uses Circletalk to coach neurodivergent young adults to make and sell doughnuts at a weekly market.
The participants use the app to record tips, ideas and tasks for the following week, like new doughnut icing techniques and designs they want to explore.
His group’s invited family and support circle – parents/OT/mentor/support workers – have an instant view of the notes and can assist with their needs.
Jacob calls Circletalk “the app that speaks when you don’t want to”.
Circletalk costs $390 a year through NDIS funded low-cost assistive technology or can be funded privately for $33/month.