Tech4Good: Revolutionizing Love and Relationships for People with Disabilities

Diversity is the law of nature. It is present in all aspects of life, from the smallest organisms to the largest ecosystems. Nurturing diversity is essential for a healthy and vibrant society. It allows us to learn from each other, to grow and evolve, and to create a more just and equitable world.?

As a society, the way we design our world would have a significant impact on the way people with disabilities lead their lives. Assistive Technologies (AT) can go a long way to make people with disabilities feel more cared for.?

According to Minal Sethi, Co-founder MatchAble - Enabling Boundless Love ,

“About 41 per cent of people with disabilities in India do not get married”.

Vignesh Krishnaswamy and Ananya Sawant got married in a beautiful ceremony in July this year. The couple exchanged vows in front of their closest friends and family, and they were all beaming with happiness as they celebrated their love. This Down Syndrome couple from Pune is defying societal norms and creating for themselves a fulfilling life. To go through the rigors of life we need partners, so why should people with disabilities not be given the opportunity to marry?

Apps and websites like MatchAble - Enabling Boundless Love , Dateability (#ATSLabs 2023), Like Family (#RA), and Bump'n (#RA20) are challenging the status quo. They are using the #tech4good, and allowing people with disabilities to find love and create for themselves a wholesome life. In matters of the heart, everyone deserves the opportunity to connect, build meaningful relationships, and experience love. These platforms not only match people based on their interests and values but also consider specific needs, ensuring compatibility on multiple levels.

Individuals with disabilities, especially women, encounter added challenges in finding suitable partners for dating and marriage. According to Prof. Philip Cohen , 美国马里兰大学帕克分校 ,

the marriage rate in the United States for people aged 18 to 49 is 48.9 per 1000 for the general population, but it drops to 24.4 per 1000 for individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, those with disabilities may face increased emotional and physical abuse in relationships and are less likely to report such abuse.

In today's world, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are fundamental values that drive progress. However, for people with disabilities, full participation in society can still be hindered by various barriers. These barriers can range from physical obstacles in the built environment to limited access to education, employment, and everyday services. It's our commitment to address these challenges by supporting innovative start-ups that focus on disability inclusion.

At the ATF, we firmly believe that by fostering a culture of innovation and empathy, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy equal opportunities and participate fully in all aspects of life. We invite like-minded individuals and organizations to join us in this mission to empower start-ups and advance the cause of disability inclusion. Together, we can drive real change and build a more inclusive society for everyone.

Authors: Chahat Dubey & Sarthak Bhardwaj

Minal Sethi | Jacqueline Child | Alexa Child | Anokhi Shah | Mathieu Bertrand | Matthew Littlejohn | Sean Stephens (He/Him) | Pete Horsley | Andrew Gurza | Heather Morrison | Nitika Chopra | Access to Success Organization | Varun Chandak

Prateek Madhav | Ravi Narayan | Jawahar Bekay | Suryaprakash (Sury)-Infosys | Krishnamoorthy Sivaram | Shantosh Cumarasurier | Chahat Dubey | Selcia Jasmeen Francis | Sarthak Bhardwaj