Activ8 App Launch: Empowering Lived Experience Voices
18 March 2026
Last week marked the launch of the Activ8 website app – a powerful new tool designed to support people with lived experience of intellectual disability to lead meaningful surveys within their communities.
Developed for VALID, Activ8 enables peer-led conversations where people can ask others about their experiences with services. The goal is simple but important: to gather real insights directly from those who use services, in a way that is accessible, respectful, and easy to use.
The app is designed with flexibility in mind. Responses can be shared in multiple ways – by typing, using speech-to-text, or selecting from visual prompts. This ensures that everyone can participate in a way that suits their communication style.
Importantly, all responses are private. The information collected is used to create reports that reflect the voices and experiences of participants, without identifying individuals.
Activ8 also helps turn conversations into clear, structured data. The app collates and summarises responses, supporting the VALID team to produce insights that can inform better services and outcomes.
This is a significant step forward in inclusive research – putting lived experience at the centre of decision-making.
