| On or off the web, dating can be an exciting and fun | | | | Do not give up - There are many possible choices in |
| way to meet people and establish new relationships. | | | | online dating. But every one of them is unlikely to |
| For disabled people living with a restricting impairment, | | | | reply to you. Do not let this discourage you from |
| the world of dating opens up new vistas and helps | | | | your search because it is not personal. So keep |
| make connections that may not have been possible | | | | connecting.. |
| otherwise. | | | | Take your time - Online dating can make relationships |
| Though online dating is very much like dating in the | | | | move very fast. But taking time to get to know the |
| real world, there are a few significant differences. | | | | other person before actually meeting is vital. Not only |
| Here are a few common sense tips to make the | | | | will you then feel more comfortable when you meet |
| process easier - | | | | but you can also guard against falling victim to a |
| Be honest -You want others to know YOU. So, be | | | | scammer or criminal. |
| truthful in exchanging information. Being honest about | | | | Be real - Nobody is perfect! Whilst we all have |
| your disability in your profile itself takes care of | | | | expectations about what we want in potential |
| having to deal with the issue later on - anyone | | | | partners, keeping to them stringently may actually |
| connecting with you already knows about it! | | | | work the other way and ensure that we do not find |
| Post a photograph - Most people would like to see | | | | a match at all! |
| the person behind the profile. Dating websites report | | | | Be prepared - When communicating online, talk about |
| that profiles with photographs get accessed almost 8 | | | | your disability too. Then when you do meet you will |
| times more than others. | | | | both be sensitive about handling issues arising from |
| Choose an interesting user name - The user name | | | | your impairment. |
| reflects who you are and lets you stand out from | | | | Date safe - Initially be sure to meet in a public place |
| the many others who are also accessing the site. | | | | and at a time when there are other people around. |
| Put yourself out there! - We rely on personal contact | | | | You may have known each other online for months |
| when making up our minds about people. But this is | | | | but you do not actually know the other person yet. |
| absent in online dating. You have to rely on | | | | Do let someone know where you are going, with |
| photographs, testimonials and messages to form an | | | | whom and if possible leave your contact details. |
| opinion about the other person. | | | | After all, not everyone online is totally harmless. |
| By using message boards, chat rooms and other | | | | And lastly, Be Yourself! Remember, you are a person |
| resources provided by the website, you can increase | | | | first and your disability is just one part of who you |
| your visibility and let other people know you exist. | | | | are. So, relax, flirt, have a good time and do not |
| Thus the more involved you get, the higher your | | | | allow your disability to get in the way! |
| chances of success. | | | | |