Terms of Use

These Terms of Use (these "Terms") form a legally binding agreement between you and SpecialCircle governing your access to and use of the website and mobile application at specialcircle.org (the "Service"). By creating an account, browsing the Service, or using any feature, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

If you accept these Terms on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization.

The Service is intended for parents, guardians, and adult caregivers of children with special needs, disabilities, and rare conditions. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. We do not knowingly allow persons under 13 to register, and the Service is not directed to children under 13 within the meaning of COPPA. Where local law requires a higher age of majority, you must meet that age.

You represent that all registration information you provide is accurate and complete, and that you will keep it updated.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use. You may not transfer or sell your account. We may suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms or that we believe is associated with misuse.

You agree to provide truthful information about yourself and, where you choose to share it, your child. You are solely responsible for deciding what information about your child you share and for ensuring you have the right to share it.

Subject to your ongoing compliance with these Terms, SpecialCircle grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your own non-commercial use. We and our licensors retain all right, title, and interest in the Service, including all software, designs, text, and features, except for your User Content (defined below).

"User Content" means any posts, replies, messages, reactions, bookmarks, profile information, and other material you submit to the Service. You retain ownership of your User Content.

By submitting User Content, you grant SpecialCircle a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable, transferable license to host, store, use, display, reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating, improving, and promoting the Service. This license continues until you delete the content or your account, except where retention is required for legal or moderation purposes.

You represent and warrant that: (a) you have all rights needed to submit your User Content and to grant the license above; (b) your User Content does not infringe the rights of any third party, including privacy, publicity, and intellectual-property rights; and (c) sharing your User Content (including any information about your child) complies with applicable law.

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Violate any law, regulation, or third-party right.
• Harass, bully, threaten, intimidate, defame, or stalk any person, or incite others to do so.
• Share medical, legal, or financial advice as a licensed professional where you are not qualified, or represent such peer experiences as professional guidance.
• Post content that is unlawful, hateful, discriminatory, sexually explicit, violent, or that promotes self-harm or harm to others.
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent your affiliation.
• Collect or harvest personal data of other members without consent.
• Send unsolicited messages, spam, or commercial solicitations.
• Upload viruses, malware, or any code designed to disrupt the Service.
• Circumvent moderation, access controls, or security features.
• Use the Service for any automated or high-volume activity without our written permission.

We may, but are not obligated to, monitor, review, edit, or remove User Content or suspend accounts at our discretion to protect members or the Service. We may act in response to reports, automated signals, or legal requests. We do not guarantee that any content will be removed, and we are not liable for the actions or omissions of other members. Report concerning content using the in-app report tools or by contacting us.

The Service is a peer-support community. Content - including research summaries, posts, replies, and AI-generated answers - is provided for general informational and emotional-support purposes only. It is not medical, therapeutic, psychological, legal, or financial advice, and must not replace consultation with a qualified professional. Always seek the guidance of qualified professionals for your specific situation. Do not disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you read on the Service.

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated into these Terms by reference.

The Service contains content owned by or licensed to SpecialCircle, including names, logos, and designs. You may not use our trademarks or branding without written permission. If you believe content on the Service infringes your copyright, you may submit a notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") to support@specialcircle.org with the information required by law. We will respond to valid notices.

The Service links to third-party websites and includes research summaries derived from external sources. We do not endorse and are not responsible for third-party content, and your dealings with third parties are solely between you and them. Inclusion of research does not imply endorsement, efficacy, or safety.

The Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE," with all faults. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SpecialCircle and its affiliates disclaim all warranties, whether express, implied, or statutory, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that any content is accurate, reliable, or complete.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, in no event will SpecialCircle or its affiliates, officers, employees, or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or related to the Service - even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

To the extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or related to the Service is limited to the greater of (a) the amount you have paid us, if any, in the twelve months preceding the claim, or (b) USD 100. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, such as liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SpecialCircle and its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your User Content, your breach of these Terms, or your misuse of the Service.

You may delete your account at any time through the in-app settings. We may suspend or terminate your access at any time, with or without cause or notice. Upon termination, all licenses granted to you end, and your User Content may be removed, except where retention is required for legal, safety, or moderation purposes. Provisions that by their nature should survive - including ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, and governing law - continue after termination.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Israel, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Before initiating any formal dispute, you and SpecialCircle agree to first attempt to resolve it in good faith. Any claim or dispute that cannot be resolved informally will be brought exclusively in the competent courts located in Tel Aviv, Israel, and you consent to their personal jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in these Terms deprives you of mandatory rights as a consumer under the laws of your country of residence.

We may modify these Terms from time to time. We will post the revised Terms and update the "Last updated" date. If a change is material, we will provide notice through the Service or by email where appropriate. Your continued use of the Service after a change constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@specialcircle.org or through our Contact page.