188 - Dating Safely with Disabilities: Why Support Matters with Katherine Gyolai
In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Katherine Gyolai, founder of Find Love Safely, to explore the often-overlooked topic of dating and relationships for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Katherine shares her deeply personal journey that led to creating a safer, more supportive matchmaking service after her own family experienced online harm. Together, they discuss the importance of balancing independence with protection, redefining inclusion as access with support, and why conversations around relationships, consent, and connection are critical. This episode challenges assumptions and offers practical ways to create safer, more inclusive opportunities for meaningful human connection.
Key Takeaways:
Access with support – Inclusion isn’t just access; it requires safeguards that protect while honoring autonomy.
Dating risks real – People with disabilities are especially vulnerable to online scams and exploitation.
Conversations matter – Avoiding discussions about relationships creates dangerous gaps in understanding.
Redefining success – Success can be growth in confidence, not just long-term relationships.
Ask and believe – True inclusion starts by asking what support someone wants and honoring it.
Katherine Gyolai’s definition of inclusion:
Inclusion means honoring autonomy while also providing structure, guidance and protection.
Katherine Gyolai’s Bio:
Katherine is a mom and stepmom to 8 wonderful adult children — 4 of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Her children, just like you, want to find a special someone to share their lives with. But as their parent and guardian, Katherine knows that online dating and apps are not a safe choice for them.
Inspired by Netflix's Love on the Spectrum and Down for Love, Katherine founded this matchmaking service because she believes the best way to meet someone special is to be matched by a real human who cares deeply about people just like you.
In her spare time, Katherine is an ICF-certified individual and team coach, and a marketing consultant. She is also on a mission to make the system work better for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Connect with Katherine Gyolai:
Website: https://www.findlovesafely.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FindLoveSafely
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/find-love-safely/posts/?feedView=all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findlovesafely
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findlovesafely/
SPAM© Count:
Host:
Yes
Current Guest:
No
Cumulative Guest Stats:
Yes - 83
No - 103
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Founder of Find Love Safely
Katherine is a mom and stepmom to 8 wonderful adult children — 4 of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Her children, just like you, want to find a special someone to share their lives with. But as their parent and guardian, Katherine knows that online dating and apps are not a safe choice for them.
Inspired by Netflix's Love on the Spectrum and Down for Love, Katherine founded this matchmaking service because she believes the best way to meet someone special is to be matched by a real human who cares deeply about people just like you.
In her spare time, Katherine is an ICF-certified individual and team coach, and a marketing consultant. She is also on a mission to make the system work better for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
