Frequently asked questions
What to know before you join. Can’t find your answer? Contact us.
Joining
Who can join?
ALStogether is built around people with a confirmed ALS diagnosis. You can join if you’ve been diagnosed, or if you’re a caregiver, family member or friend of someone who has. That includes people who have cared for someone with ALS in the past.
I’m worried I might have ALS. Can I join?
This community isn’t the place to find out. A neurologist can help, and ALS Network can help you find an ALS clinic. If you receive a diagnosis, you’ll be welcome here.
Do I need to prove my diagnosis?
No paperwork is needed. When you join, you confirm that you have a confirmed ALS diagnosis, or care or have cared for someone who does, and you agree to the community guidelines.
Does it cost anything?
No. ALStogether and the Slack app are both free.
Can I stay after the person I cared for has died?
Yes. ALStogether is for people who care or have cared for someone with ALS, and you’re welcome to stay.
Can a family member post for me?
Yes. A caregiver, family member or friend can join with their own account and share questions or updates for you.
Privacy and safety
Who can see what I post?
Only members. ALStogether isn’t public on the web. Messages in regular channels can be seen by everyone in the community, which is more than 2,000 people. Private channels, like the pALS and cALS support groups, can only be seen by their members, and direct messages only by the people in them. Share only what you’re comfortable with that audience seeing.
Who runs and moderates the community?
Chanel Reaves and Michael Breeden are the community’s admins and moderators. They’ve been part of ALStogether from the very start and work with ALS Network to keep it going. Read our story.
How do I report a problem?
Post in #help-admins or message an admin, Chanel Reaves or Michael Breeden, in Slack. Harassment, discrimination and offensive behavior aren’t tolerated, and violations are addressed promptly.
How do I join a private channel, like the pALS or cALS support group?
Private channels are just for people living it. After you join, open the canvas in #welcome-to-alstogether, choose your group, and select Start workflow under each channel you’d like to join. The welcome tour video shows how.
How is my information handled?
ALStogether is a program of ALS Network. See ALS Network’s privacy policy. Your Slack account is also covered by Slack’s own privacy policy.
Is this medical advice?
No. Members share their own experiences, and content in the workspace isn’t medical advice. Talk to your care team about medical decisions.
Using Slack
I’ve never used Slack. Is it hard?
Most people get comfortable quickly. Try the practice tour before you join. It walks you through channels, threads, reactions and search.
Can I use it on my phone or in a web browser?
Yes. Slack has free apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows and Mac, and it also works in a web browser. Simplified layout mode is available in the desktop app.
I use eye tracking or other assistive technology. Will it work?
Many people with ALS use eye tracking, a head mouse or other assistive technology. Slack’s simplified layout mode shows one section of Slack at a time, with fewer distractions. Learn how to turn it on.
Supporting ALStogether
How can I help?
Invite someone who could use the community, and donate to ALS Network to keep ALStogether going. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.