Online dating is built around photos. Swipe, judge, swipe again. If you're blind or have a visual impairment, that's a strange system to be dropped into, and it's no wonder plenty of blind and partially sighted people find the big apps more frustrating than fun.
SingleDisabled is for disabled singles and everyone who'd like to meet them, and it suits visually impaired daters better than most. Profiles are there to be read, conversations matter more than the main picture, and a voice note can tell you more about someone in thirty seconds than any photo ever could. Whether you were born blind, lost your sight later, have some useful vision or none at all, this is a place to meet people who are interested in who you are.
Some of the people on SingleDisabled
Sight loss covers a huge range of experiences. Some people are registered severely sight impaired, some sight impaired, and some aren't registered at all but have a condition that makes small print, bright light or dark evenings tricky. Some use a long cane, some have a guide dog who'll inevitably steal the show on a first date, and some use neither.
It's also for sighted singles who'd like to meet blind singles, including people searching for what dating a blind person is really like because they've met someone and want to get it right. Everyone is welcome, as long as they're here for the person rather than the novelty. That's what dating for blind people should be: about who you are, not what you can see.
Words first, looks later. Funny how often that works out better.
For blind and visually impaired daters, the written profile does a lot of heavy lifting, and that's no bad thing. Tell people what you're like, what you do at the weekend, what makes you laugh and what you're looking for. Be specific. "Into music" is fine; "will drive two hours for a good folk night and sing all the way home" is much better.
Photos still matter to sighted daters, so it's worth asking a friend or family member you trust to help you choose a few good, recent ones. If there are pictures you only want certain people to see, private photos let you share them individually once you've got to know someone.
How much you say about your sight is up to you. A single line usually does it, because it saves explaining later and gives people a natural question to ask. Useful things to mention:
Voice notes on SingleDisabled are a gift for visually impaired daters. You hear someone's voice, their accent, whether they laugh at their own jokes, and how they talk when they're not trying too hard. Plenty of blind and partially sighted people prefer them to long typed messages, and some like a mix. If that's you, say so on your profile, and the right people will happily switch.
Typed messages are there too, for when you'd rather read and reply in your own time. Take as long as you like over replies, and don't let anyone rush you.
There's something about a voice that gets under your skin. A week of voice notes, and you know the way they say your name, the little pause before a joke, the laugh that comes out as a snort when something's really funny. By the time you meet, outside the station at seven, you'd know that voice anywhere. They say hello, you turn towards it, and it feels less like meeting a stranger than finally meeting someone you already know.
The easiest first dates are the ones where getting there is simple. Meet somewhere you already know, or at a spot that's easy to find, like right outside a station exit you've used before, so nobody's wandering round trying to spot each other. If you're the sighted one, describe what you're wearing and where you're standing, and offer to meet at the entrance.
Choose venues that work for both of you. Some visually impaired people find dim restaurants hard work, others are bothered by glare, and busy, noisy places can make it hard to follow what's going on around you. A café in daylight, a walk in a park, a pub quiz, live music, a tasting menu where you talk about every course: there are plenty of first dates where looks don't come into it at all.
A few bits of etiquette go a long way. Introduce yourself when you arrive, don't wait to be recognised. Offer your arm rather than grabbing theirs, and let them hold your elbow while you walk half a step ahead. Mention kerbs, steps and doors as you reach them, without a running commentary. Read the menu if they'd like you to, but ask first. And whatever you do, don't stroke, feed or distract a working guide dog without asking. It's on duty, even if it's giving you the eyes.
If you've never dated someone who's blind or visually impaired, you'll find it's not so different. Blind people dating sighted partners mostly want what anyone wants: someone kind, funny and paying attention. Talk to them the way you'd talk to anyone. Use phrases like "see you later" without worrying, because nobody minds. Describe things when it adds something, the sunset, a funny outfit on the next table, rather than narrating everything. And trust them to know what they need.
Our article on how interabled couples make it work is a good read if you'd like to hear how other couples do it.
If you have both sight and hearing loss, or you're dating someone who does, our page for deaf and hard of hearing daters covers communication and first-date set-ups that work alongside everything here.
Keep chatting on SingleDisabled until you've built some trust, and use block and report on anyone who makes you uncomfortable. If someone pushes to meet somewhere you don't know, or asks for help with anything beyond your company, step back. When you meet, choose a familiar public place, make sure a friend knows where you are, and sort your own transport home. There's more in our tips for meeting someone new safely.
Write a profile that sounds like you, record a voice note or two once you're chatting, and see who's nearby. For more about the wider site, visit disabled dating on SingleDisabled, or browse our guides and stories on the blog.
Yes. SingleDisabled is a UK dating site that brings together blind and partially sighted singles, other disabled singles, and sighted people who'd genuinely like to date them. Written profiles, messaging and voice notes mean you can get to know someone through conversation, rather than relying on photos alone.
It's up to you, but a short line usually helps. It sets expectations, saves explaining later and gives people an easy question to ask. You can say as much or as little as you like about your sight, your cane or your guide dog, and change it whenever you want.
Introduce yourself when you meet, offer your arm rather than taking theirs, and mention steps, kerbs and doors as you reach them. Ask before reading a menu or helping with anything. Never distract a working guide dog. Beyond that, talk to them like anyone else and trust them to know what they need.
Voice notes let you hear someone's voice, tone and humour, which can tell you more than a photo. Many blind and partially sighted daters prefer them to long typed messages, and some use both. If you'd like voice notes, say so on your profile so matches know how best to chat with you.
Find the corner of the site that feels like yours, or wander through all of them.