Discussion : Should Apple offer discounts to people with disabilities?

By Kyle, 18 April, 2020

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

I ran across this iMore article yesterday.
https://www.imore.com/apple-should-consider-discounts-people-disabilities

I personally think this is not necessary. There are already many other organizations: RSB, DSB, and others just to name a few that can get you cheap or discounted tech. While this is very USA centric and I know it can be difficult if not impossible to get Apple tech even for normal people in other countries because of inflated prices do to currency exchanges, it is still not impossible. For one, buying refurbished devices are just as good as if you bought them brand new. Apple has put a lot of work into keeping a device that is several years old up to date a running well with decent performance. You don't have to have the hot brand spanking new tech as soon as it gets released. If you can't by the latest and greatest get last years model and it will be much cheaper.
Those are just some of my thoughts. What does everyone else think?

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Comments

By Missy Hoppe on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 14:44

I posted a comment prior to reading the article, but now that I have, I've completely changed my opinion. Obviously, there would need to be guidelines, and I don't think anyone should be able to just get stuff from Apple for free, but discounts as they were suggested in the article seem like a logical policy for Apple to adopt. I think something that might be even more helpful, though, is a way to set up an interest free payment plan: say somewhere between $25 and $100 a month, depending on the person's income. I think this would make a huge difference, and I wouldn't like to see only Apple doing this. This is actually something that companies like Humanware and other adaptive technology vendors need to adopt. I understand that developing specialized tech costs money, but unless things like braille note takers are being purchased by state agencies, they're pretty much out of reach for the people who need them the most. If companies could somehow implement interest-free monthly payments, I think that could make a huge difference to a lot of people.

By Siobhan on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 14:44

Eligibility. How does that work? yes I can see the abuse cases going haywire. Second, the message writer not the author made it seem like it was Apple or nothing else. Everyone uses what's comfortable, for me it's a Mac. Yes, I was grateful that I had less challenges when I used the phone with the computer. I tried Android and though i didn't have a wonderful experience, it still wouldn't scare me off if my phone were to break. Windows works for some, Apple works for others. We should not be suggesting that it's a one size fits all attitude. Because i use a Mac, does not mean I give anyone else a hard time because they use Jaws, or NVDA or whatever works for them. The idea that apple is at the forefront of accessibility is untrue. There was so much excitement when Voice over came to the Mac, it made everyone have another alternative to windows. Ten plus years on, how many people complain about bugs not being fixed year after year? I've said this before, Apple has it's fingers in to many pies. A lot of accessibility features for so many disabilities are being rolled out with little thought to their actual use cases. Look at the watch, they had to actually put it something like get rolling, instead of the standing activity for people who use a wheelchair. Common sense much? We can't ask a large multibillion dollar company to give us a brake on an expensive product, when if you are willing there are other possibilities.

By Justin on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 14:44

Well said, Siobhan. I've been mac exclusive for over a decade and while I can say it's not perfect... it meets my needs just fine. people will use what's comfortable to them. If windows with JFW, or NVDA fine. If Mac with VO, good. There is no one size fits all approach for this. I'm not good with marketing or anything of that, but I think we should pay the same as our sighted peers, not less. I can understand people not being able to afford the devices, I really can, but discounts for being blind? Come on... Not necessary, we can pay the same as everyone else. just do a payment plan, and your good to go. No discounts. Wait till devices are on sale, then buy them if you look at a mac and say "do I wanna shovel out X ammount of dollars?"
I'm done, have a good day peeps!

By Ekaj on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 14:44

I'd like to start by saying that I got my Mac and iPhone as Christmas and belated birthday presents respectively. My financial knowledge is not quite up to par yet, and I haven't checked out the prices on Apple products but I hear they're pretty expensive. Having said that, I tend to agree with those of you who say offer various payment options. If none of those work for somebody or a group of people, and if Apple products don't suit someone for whatever reason, don't purchase them. Nobody's saying everyone has to go out and purchase them. I'm completely satisfied with my iPhone and Mac, but I'm only one person. Other great companies exist out there, blindness-specific and otherwise. So there you have it: one size does not and will never fit all.