"Alvie, the ultimate friendship app" - by CPL

See original article on CPL’s website, here.

Do you enjoy the thrill of cheering on your favourite team with a friend, or maybe kicking back and chatting about the latest binge-worthy Netflix series? With Alvie these scenarios are just a click away for people with disability. 📺

Alvie is one of our latest Inclusion Impact Fund (IIF) recipients and is committed to breaking down the social barriers and isolation that exists for people with disability.

Alvie is an Australia-wide inclusive, all ages, friendship app designed for people with disability.

But Alvie is more than just an app, it’s a community-driven platform dedicated to nurturing lifelong friendships and enhancing social participation. Designed with safety at its core, Alvie ensures every interaction is secure and authentic. With a full screening process, including free police checks for all members, Alvie creates a safe online space where people with disability can explore common interests without hesitation.

Safety is my top priority, alongside the mandatory police check, every individual must provide photo identification. Alvie incorporates artificial intelligence to actively monitor and prevent the use of inappropriate content or language within the platform. Additionally, Alvie doesn’t allow group chats, or video features and provides complimentary parent/support worker co-accounts to guide members through the app. – Steve, Alvie’s Founder.

Founder Steve’s vision for Alvie comes from a first-hand understanding of the social barriers faced by people with disability. With a commitment to inclusivity, Steve champions Alvie as a solution to loneliness and social isolation. Through constant engagement and receptiveness to feedback, Steve hopes to ensure that Alvie remains aligned with the evolving needs and wants of the disability community.

 

“I started Alvie because I noticed a real social isolation struggle for people with disability in creating meaningful friendships and being included in community. I thought, there must be a simple solution. We all crave that feeling that comes from friendships, and people with disability need and deserve to also experience that same feeling,” said Steve.

The heart of Alvie is recognising the diversity of people’s interests. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a movie buff, a gamer, or an artist, Alvie has something for you. Their questionnaire will match you with liked-minded individuals who share your passions— NRL, AFL, cooking up a storm, video games, or teeing off on the green, Alvie has it all.

Alvie is NDIS registered, meaning NDIS participants can claim Alvie’s annual fee. Allowing Alvie to further expand the community and provide even more opportunities for people with disability to connect, have fun and live the life they choose, alongside the friends they choose.