When you have a disability, dating can be frightening and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. This article can help you relax and empower you to find whatever form of healthy companionship you’re looking for, whether you’re stepping into the dating scene for the first time or returning to it.
We preview a few popular dating websites for individuals with disabilities in this piece, and we talk with Dr. Danielle Sheypuk, a dating and sex expert, on dating, relationships, and sexuality among handicapped people.
Disabled Dating Sites
Whispers4U
Whispers4U has been active since 2002, and the website claims to be able to assist “differently abled” persons in finding love and support in a secure atmosphere. It offers both free and premium memberships that include access to video tutorials, webcam chatting, instant messenger, database search, 24/7 assistance, virtual flirtation, and email, among other things. Furthermore, Whispers4U monitors for scammers and removes bogus accounts on a regular basis, ensuring that genuine singles are better protected. In addition, the website was a finalist for the iDate awards for best niche dating site.
Dating4Disabled
Dating4Disabled is a free online dating site that allows people with disabilities to meet, date, and share resources. There are no contracts, everything is kept private, and the website has a number of features such as forums, a message service, and a clever search function. Although the possibilities are fairly normal among online dating options, the community works together to help others find romance, companionship, or disability resources.
Special Bridge
Special Bridge is a newcomer to the online dating industry. It is a private, family-owned and controlled social community for people with disabilities. Special Bridge is more than just another cookie-cutter dating site, despite the fact that the website touts its capability as a dating service. Its true objective is to link persons with impairments with other disabled people, whether for friendship, romance, or even pen pals. The website offers the usual set of features, such as messaging, customisable profiles, and matchmaking. However, it goes a step further to protect its users by providing more in-depth services like background checks for anyone you’re nervous about meeting up with.
Disabled Passions
Disabled Passions is a social networking site that offers a lot more than just matchmaking. It has a wide range of disability and dating-related content, including hilarious videos, games, and curated tools. It also provides the opportunity to date or make friends through chat, secure email, and message boards, as do many other dating sites for persons with disabilities.
Mainstream Dating Websites
If none of these disability-specific dating services pique your interest, try OKCupid, eHarmony, Tinder, or Match, which are more mainstream possibilities. You may be questioned more or even rejected more frequently, but these services have substantially broader customer bases from which to choose.
Our advise for dealing with popular dating services is straightforward: establish a profile that reflects your true self, and don’t be hesitant to message people you’re interested in. Move beyond simply saying “hello” in the texts and start a discussion. Share a humorous or funny incident and relate it to their profile, or make a comparison between the two of you.
Keep in mind, however, that these sites are significantly larger than specialist disability dating sites, and some users, especially women, may become overwhelmed by dozens of messages. So don’t be concerned if you don’t hear back from someone within a few days; it’s completely possible they haven’t yet seen your message.