Dateability Review
Dating is wild and dating apps are often messy. Factor in navigating them as a disabled person and… wow.
After my last breakup, my friends forced encouraged me to join a dating app. It was 2020 and the height of the covid-19 pandemic isolation, so I was lonely and agreed. I met a few good friends, but overall, it was extremely negative.
I quickly decided that wasn't for me and also gave myself a break to heal and focus on myself - as a single woman.
I definitely needed that break and healed my heart. So when I heard about a dating app specifically for disabled people a few months ago, I decided to give it another try - but just on an app for disabled people. If nothing else, I could meet more of my community; however, I'm open to the possibility of a romantic relationship now.
Dateability was created by two sisters, Alexa and Jacqueline Child, after Jacqueline experienced nasty ableists on a dating app. So many of us have experienced the same thing, and they realized the need for an inclusive space.
The app has the standard:
Name & age
Location
Bio
Job & education
What you're looking for
Gender & height
If you want children
Political views
Religion
Some interests
Then, you can add your vaccination status and your “disability deets”:
Able bodied
Ambulatory wheelchair user
Blind
COVID cautious
Chronic illness
Chronic pain
Deaf
Emotional support animal
Food allergy
Fragrance free
Immunocompromised
Intellectual disability
Learning disability
Limb difference
Low vision
Mental illness
Mobility impairment
Mobility aid
Neurodivergent
Non-disabled
Permanent medical device
Physical disability
Powerchair user
Psychiatric disability
Service animal
Sign language
Speech impairment
Wheelchair user
Other (and type in)
Which is a very extensive list that covers most of the major things you encounter on a date. Especially now that my disabilities are more visible, I prefer to be very upfront about them and weed out the people I don't want to waste time on.
I was afraid that there wouldn't be very many people on the app, but there were more than I expected! It allows you to filter by location, gender, and age on the free version and others on the premium version. You're also able to add 4 - 6 photos (with alt text) and can have a few frames too.
Partial view of my profile
It was a very easy setup, and searching through profiles was just as simple. Instead of swiping, you press a green heart icon on the right or a red X icon to the left. If both people press the heart, it's a match and you can begin messaging!
The app is still fairly new, and does have some kinks and glitches in it. If you send a link, you can't click on it and you're unable to select the text in a message to copy and paste somewhere else. This can be a nuisance if you're exchanging songs or something with a link! Occasionally, the notifications just take a little surprise nap - but honestly, same.
Even with a few little quirks and not a massive budget (a la Tinder), I still would highly recommend it! I've had a great time making more spoonie friends (many just use it to meet more disabled people) and building community!
Did I meet anyone particularly interesting? Perhaps…
Sources
https://info.dateabilityapp.com/
