Social care worker launches dating platform for people with disabilities

A social care worker has launched a dating platform for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses or mental health conditions, ORF reports. The platform, called Liebe mit Handicap, is intended to provide an open and safe setting for people to meet.

Founder Leonie Philipp said she noticed while working in disability care that many people struggled to meet someone and that loneliness was a major issue. She said some people were even denied the ability to form relationships, prompting her to create a safe and accessible environment for meeting others.

The paid platform differs from other dating websites because users must register with identification. Philipp, who is a qualified specialist social care worker in disability services, also helps users create their profiles.

One user, Salzburg resident Oliver Schischek, said he would like to find a girlfriend with whom he could do everything, including go to the cinema. He was born prematurely, which affected his development. He has met two people through dating before, but neither relationship worked out.

About 200 people across Austria are currently registered on the platform.