Case Study
Building the First Dating App for the Disabled and Chronically Ill
From failed development to national media coverage - rebuilding an accessible dating platform from the ground up
Challenge
The Challenge
When Dateability's sisters and Co-founders came to R2 Consulting, they had already invested significant money with another development team - and had nothing to show for it but a non-functional app that didn't meet accessibility standards.
One of the sisters, who is disabled due to chronic illness, had experienced discrimination and ableism on mainstream dating apps. She and her sister envisioned something different: a dating platform specifically designed for the disabled and chronically ill communities, where users wouldn't have to explain themselves or face ignorance.
The previous development had fundamental problems: poor architecture that couldn't scale, accessibility features that didn't actually work with screen readers, and code quality so poor that patching it would cost more than starting fresh. The founders were frustrated, running low on budget, and worried their vision might never become reality.
Approach
Our Approach
After a thorough technical audit of the existing codebase, we made an honest recommendation: start over. This wasn't the easy answer, but it was the right one. The existing code couldn't be salvaged without spending more than a rebuild would cost.
We partnered closely with teh Co-founders throughout the entire process. Their lived experience with disability and advocacy informed every design decision. We conducted extensive research into accessibility standards, consulting with users who rely on screen readers, voice control, and other assistive technologies.
Our development approach prioritized accessibility from day one - not as an afterthought. We built for WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, tested with real assistive technology users, and created a design system that accommodated various visual, motor, and cognitive needs.
Critically, we also built a comprehensive admin platform that would give the founders complete control over their app without needing developers for every content change, analtyics, or user issue.
Solution
The Solution
R2 Consulting delivered a complete, accessible dating platform available on iOS, Android, and web - built from scratch to meet the unique needs of the disabled and chronically ill communities.
The mobile apps feature thoughtful accessibility throughout: high contrast modes, screen reader optimization, adjustable text sizes, and simplified navigation patterns. Users can share their "Dateability Deets" - information about their disability or chronic illness on their own terms, when they're ready.
The matching system was designed to help users find connections based on shared experiences, interests, and what matters most to them. Profile prompts encourage authentic self-expression rather than superficial metrics.
Profile verification ensured users of the dating app were real people and mitigated catfishing and bad actors.
Beyond the consumer apps, we built a powerful admin platform that transformed how the founders operate their business.
Details
Admin Platform
The admin platform we built empowers Dateability's team to manage every aspect of their dating app without developer dependency.
The Dynamic CMS allows the team to update app content, prompts, and messaging in real-time. When they want to add new profile questions, update safety resources, or change onboarding flows, they do it themselves - no code deployment required.
The Analytics Dashboard provides data-driven insights into user engagement, matching success, retention metrics, and growth trends. The founders can see what's working, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions about product direction.
User Management and Trust & Safety tools give the team the ability to review reported users, manage bans, respond to support requests, and maintain the safe, welcoming community that makes Dateability special. In a dating app, trust and safety isn't optional - it's essential.
Details
Results and Impact
Dateability launched successfully on iOS, Android, and web, and has since been featured in People Magazine, The Washington Post, CBS Mornings, and Cosmopolitan - national recognition that validated the founders' vision and R2's execution.
More importantly, the app has facilitated real connections. Users who had given up on dating after experiencing ableism on other platforms found their partners through Dateability. The testimonials speak for themselves - people finding soulmates, moving in together, and building lives with partners who truly understand them.
The admin platform has proven equally valuable. The founders operate independently, updating content and managing their community without developer bottlenecks. What would have been support tickets and feature requests are now self-service operations.
Dateability proves that accessible technology isn't just possible - it's powerful. When you build for the margins, you often build something better for everyone.