Peter Finch asked:


There are a lot of people in this world who are differently abled. There are a lot of people in this world who have invisible disabilities and looking at them one would be very surprised to know this. For such people dating with their disability can get a little difficult. But there is a way around this now!

A sad but true fact is that today visibly disabled people are the fairly stigmatized and this includes obese people. These very same people probably have skills that are superior because of their disability. But they get discriminated against despite this talent. For people afflicted with invisible disabilities, things can get more complicated.

So then how does one go about dating with disabilities? Surf the net, find dating for the disabled sites where you can meet similarly afflicted people, get registered and you are ready to date. Get some pointers from disabled friends who are already in to dating.

A good way to start would be to initiate a conversation and find out what needs to be done with respect to the disability in question. You can move on to more intimate conversation if you are able to convey that you are open to communicate about your disability however sensitive the topic may be.

Dating with disabilities can be an exciting and enriching experience if you go about it with the right attitude. There will be stares and there will be awkward dates but you will learn from each experience. Each date will show you what you can expect from other disabled or differently abled people and you will be able to take the experience of one date to the next.

There are certain points that you should keep in mind when dating. Keep your personal information to yourself till such time as you are comfortable with the person and you feel you can trust him or her. If there is talk of meeting outside the safety of online dating then ensure that the place you pick is very public and stick to your own mode of transport. Keep friends informed of your whereabouts.

While dating or chatting online, keep personal data confidential. Keep a separate email account just for this type of communication and steer clear of people whose pester factor runs high. There are those who think they must keep on chasing are those you must stay away from. Look out for inconsistent answers to your questions.

Remember most dating sites are for free and if any are asking for money then read the fine print carefully. Keep your options open and discuss with friends if need be.

Dating with disabilities is fun if you take it with the right spirit and the right sense of caution. Your dates will be as enjoyable as you want them to be. So go on, get into the dating scene today!



Brett

Peter Finch asked:


Dating websites for the disabled have been a wonderful service for those living with disability or limiting medical conditions. By opening doors to new friends and relationships, they have changed a lot of lives. The sheer number of such websites is encouraging.

The disabled dating service is used by people living with various types of disabilities and conditions. Some of these can make it difficult for the person to use the computer effectively, while others may need special technological help to access the web. For example, the visually challenged find it helpful to use screen readers which speak out the written word and some hearing impaired internet users need voice recognition technology to get maximum benefit from their time on the net.

Dating websites for the disabled which are sensitive to the needs of their patrons accommodate these factors when presenting their service. Some features of these websites which make them easy to use are listed below.

Clear format: The information is presented without any cluttering or extra graphics thrown in. This makes it easier and less distracting.

Sensitive choice of text: There are some fonts which making reading easier for those who are visually challenged or those suffering from dyslexia. Dating websites catering to the disabled use these fonts and large, clear text to enhance their service. Being able to resize text to suit the users particular needs and absence of hard coded text which cannot be changed are also useful features.

Presence of text labels: Text labels are spoken descriptions of pictures and images that help the visually challenged see images on the site. The text labels should be informative and readable by the screen readers that assist many disabled internet users.

Navigation through keyboard: Using a mouse is not always an option for many users. It is then beneficial if the site can be navigated entirely through the keyboard.

Limited Use of Javascript: Javascript refers to mini programmes which are embedded in some sites. However its presence limits anyone using an old browser or a special browser from accessing the site. So, it helps if the site can be accessed even when the Javascript is disabled.

Good colour contrast: The colour combinations used on a website have special significance for users with dyslexia and visual impairments. Certain combinations are more conducive to users with these impairments while others may aggravate the problem.

No sudden pop-up windows : Windows which pop up without warning can be confusing for those suffering from cognitive or learning disabilities and distracting for many others.

Most dating disabled websites offer their service to users whose disabilities cover a wide range of impairments. Thus to take into account the needs of all they may need the help of specialist web designers who modify websites to suit the need of the clientele.

There are also groups who offer training and support as well as disabled end testing and disability audits. All these together can make a disabled dating service accommodate the needs of their users in a sensitive way.



Angela