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Let's take a look at a new app, "ConnectUp", it's a free Australian app co-designed with people with disability and carers to help them find inclusive activities, welcoming venues and real-world social connections in their local area. Read more to find out about the app and talk to your local Just Better Care office

Finding genuine social connections can be harder than it should be for Australians living with disability. ConnectUp is a new free app, built in collaboration with people living with disability and their carers that makes it easier to find inclusive activities, accessible venues and connect with others nearby. 

For Australians living with disability, social isolation is one of the most significant challenges they face. The barriers to community participation are often simply too high: inaccessible venues, scattered information about inclusive activities, and too few peers who truly understand the day-to-day reality.

People living with disability and their carers experience higher rates of loneliness than the general population.

That gap between lived experience and public understanding is exactly what ConnectUp is designed to address.

An Australian platform, ConnectUp, was launched earlier in 2026 and is working to change that. Developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne in partnership with Carers WA, Carers Australia, the Australian Citizen Science Association and disability organisations across the country, ConnectUp is a free digital platform co-designed with people with disability and carers. 

Built in collaboration with researchers and end-users

What sets ConnectUp apart from other social platforms is its commitment to genuine co-design. People with disability and carers were involved from the very beginning, shaping everything from the app's logo and accessibility features to how people communicate and what information is displayed.

Early versions of the platform showed that while people were happy to connect online, many were reluctant to meet in person. Feedback from co-design workshops revealed that what users most needed was not another social media channel, but a reliable, geographically focused source of information about accessible activities, welcoming venues and local opportunities to get involved in community life.

"I think it's bringing all those together in the one umbrella, and everybody promotes the one thing. At the moment, I get all my resources from different newsletters, and I think you need something that's geographically located."

Carer, ConnectUp Co-design Workshop

The team partnered with the Australian Citizen Science Association to take a community-powered approach: rather than relying solely on a central database, ConnectUp invites users to review and share local knowledge about venues, events and activities that are genuinely accessible and welcoming.

What can people do on ConnectUp?

Create a profile

Connect with others in your local area who share similar interests or caring roles.

Chat and organise activities

From a walk in the park to an inclusive fitness class or simply meeting for coffee.

Discover inclusive venues and events

Find accessible activities nearby, with accessibility information contributed by the community.

Review spaces

Help others identify places that feel welcoming, safe and accessible.

The platform supports screen readers and other accessibility technologies and underwent multiple rounds of testing with various disability groups and end users.

Users of the ConnectUp platform must be 18 or over, agree to community guidelines, and can report inappropriate content, creating a trusted and safe space for genuine connection.

The app is available for Android via Google Play, with an Apple version also available through the App Store.

Why does social connection matter?

Approximately 4.4 million Australians live with disability, and more than 2.65 million provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. 

Both groups face compounding barriers to social participation that extend beyond physical accessibility, including time pressures, financial constraints, and a lack of peers who understand their day-to-day experiences.

ConnectUp is designed to lower those barriers by making it easier to find the right people and places in the local area.

A national research effort

ConnectUp is the result of a significant national research collaboration involving researchers from eight Australian universities, CSIRO, and a wide range of disability and community organisations. 

The project was led by Associate Professor Dominika Kwasnicka from the University of Melbourne's Centre for Health Equity, whose personal experience as a carer shaped the platform's vision. 

You can join the ConnectUp community and find inclusive activities in your area at connectup.org.au.

Supporting community participation for people living with disability

For people living with disability, having the right support to get out and engage in everyday life can make all the difference. Just Better Care provides personalised community participation as part of ongoing services to help people pursue the activities and experiences that matter to them.

Personalised disability support in your home and local community.

Just Better Care offers a range of personalised disability support services, including community participation.

Enquire with your local office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ConnectUp?

ConnectUp is a free Australian app and website co-designed with people with disability and carers. It helps users find inclusive activities, discover accessible venues and connect with others in their local area.

Who is ConnectUp for?

ConnectUp is for Australians aged 18 and over who are living with disability, as well as unpaid carers. Many carers are also living with disability themselves, and the platform is designed to support both groups equally.

Is ConnectUp free to use?

Yes. ConnectUp is completely free. You can create a profile, connect with others, discover local activities and review community spaces at no cost. The app is available on Android via Google Play and on Apple devices through the App Store.

How do I join ConnectUp?

You can sign up directly at connectup.org.au/join or download the app from Google Play or the App Store and create a profile from there.

Is ConnectUp safe to use?

Yes. ConnectUp requires all users to be 18 or over and to agree to community guidelines. Users can report inappropriate content or behaviour at any time, and the platform was designed with safety as a core priority throughout the co-design process.

What disability support services does Just Better Care provide?

Just Better Care provides a range of personalised in-home and community-based disability support services, including community participation, personal care, domestic assistance, transport and more. Support is tailored to each person's goals, interests and individual needs.

What is community participation support?

Community participation support helps people with disability get out and engage in everyday life — whether that's attending social activities, joining a local group, pursuing a hobby, or simply getting out of the house. A Just Better Care Support Worker can assist with transport and a range of ongoing support services.

How do I find my local Just Better Care office?

Just Better Care has offices across Australia. You can find your nearest office and enquire about disability support services at the locations page

Can I use ConnectUp alongside my Just Better Care support plan?

Absolutely. ConnectUp and Just Better Care serve complementary purposes. ConnectUp helps you find activities and social connections in your community, while Just Better Care can provide the practical support you need to get there and participate with confidence.

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