No need to feel alone! JACO DE KLERK has rounded up the most hip and happening websites out there.
The web has become an everyday part of life as we use it to interact with others – to share our experiences, support one another or find someone special, stay up to date on current events, and read or review products and services. Here are some of our top picks…
AbleHere.com
“AbleHere.com is an online community website for disabled people, where we can chat and help each other by sharing our experiences,” the website states. “This network of disabled people is 100 percent free and is run and controlled by disabled people.”
The site offers various forums – ranging from news to nightlife – and provides updates on current affairs, videos in various categories and a pen pals section.
You can sign up by completing some basic information on an online form.
Web address: www.ablehere.com
Can-do-ability
This site is run by Steven, the social media facilitator at Nova Employment – an Australian organisation that helps people with disabilities.
“Using this blog, it will be my job to keep you informed about current news relating to disabilities as well as stories of people’s triumphs over their disability,” he relates. “It is my hope that this site will be an area where you and I can discuss and share our experiences of having a disability, so we can try to spread awareness.”
The site has some wonderful features, each sporting a comments section.
Web address: www.candoability.com.au
Dating For Disabled
“Dating over the internet has brought a revolution into the dating scenes of all sorts,” the site says. “You just need to place your profile online for all the other single people out there who want to meet new friends, dates, and possible new lovers.”
Web address: www.datingfordisabled.co.za
Disabilities-R-Us
“The chat room and community created by and for those of us with physical disabilities (but everyone is welcome),” the website points out. “For over 18 years we have been providing a warm and friendly place where you can make new online friends from all over the world.”
Its chat room is completely free and is super-easy to use. You just click and go. “Not into live chat? No problem! Join our growing public message forums and meet and talk with people at your own pace.”
The page also provides links to information on a variety of disabilities, disability organisations, resources and disability-related sexuality information in a clean, safe, discreet and respectful environment.
Web address: www.disabilities-r-us.com
Disabled Chat City
“Your social life depends on how much you invest in it – now you can sign up for our service and, with just a few clicks, enrich it as much as you want! Whether you’re looking for some online fun, a cyber experience and/or just a simple, friendly chat – at our website you’ll be able to find all that you’re looking for and even more.”
With Disabled Chat City you can send a flirt, use its chat service or arrange webcam sessions.
Web address: www.disabledchatcity.com
Disabled Dating 4 U
“The online dating market is growing every day and so is disableddating4u.co.za. Thousands of singles are joining the service every day, all of them looking for online dates, online chat, romance or serious long-term relationships.”
Web address: www.disableddating4u.co.za
Disabled Passions
Disabled Passions is an online dating and social networking community that focuses specifically on singles with a disability.
“Meeting new people can sometimes be more difficult when you are dealing with a disability. Whether you are interested in dating, making new friends, or more, Disabled Passions is here for you,” it notes.
You can use the “Disability Groups” option to find other people that are dealing with similar issues. It also offers videos, various chat rooms and a variety of forums.
Web address: www.disabledpassions.com
Martyn Sibley
This site follows Martyn Sibley as he explores the globe and offers advice.
“I am a regular guy who happens to have a disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). This means I cannot walk, lift anything heavier than a book or shower myself,” he explains.
“I have a degree in economics and a masters in marketing, I love travel (including an epic visit to Australia), I have great people in my life (including my soul mate), I drive my own adapted car, run my own business, have flown a plane and scuba dived, and live independently on earth.”
It is a pity that he hasn’t uploaded some new webinars recently … but the ones there are certainly still relevant and he regularly uploads posts.
Web address: www.martynsibley.com
Still Outdoors
Kary Wright’s blog is a collection of articles and thoughts on things that interest him. This married father of two has been a quadriplegic since an automobile accident in 1986.
“I love aviation and started flying airplanes when I was 17 years old, and studied aircraft maintenance before my accident,” he points out. “I now enjoy gliding, writing, hunting, fishing, camping, and being outdoors.
“I hope this is informative to some, entertaining to others, and interesting to all.”
Web address: www.stilloutdoors.blogspot.ca
Youreable
“Youreable is the home of a vibrant community of disabled people, supporting and helping each other by sharing their experiences,” the site points out.
Youreable was founded by Joe Rajko, a charity worker from the United Kingdom, after winning the Channel 4 eMillionaire show in July 2000. Joe broke his back and became paralysed from the neck down as the result of a motorbike accident in 1997. In 1999 he was surfing the internet when he read about a TV game show looking for the best new website ideas.
In an interview with the Daily Mail he recalled how, once out of hospital, he and his partner Liz found it difficult to find out what practical and financial help was available to them.
They didn’t know, for example, how to adapt their bathroom or even where to get the special, easy-to-put-on trousers Joe now needed. “All this worry came when I was feeling most vulnerable and desperate to get back into society.”
At the time he said: “It is so difficult to know where to go for help. I felt a comprehensive website that brought together the private, voluntary and public sector for the disabled could change all this. It could, for example, give information on what grants were available, how to get the most out of social services, and the range of products available.”
Web address: www.youreable.com
