A petition asking Apple to consider discounts for people with disabilities.

Education/business discounts are possible through a fullproof system that can verify your information, whether it be a .edu address or business contact info. There is no fullproof method of verification for disability status. Well, at least none that wouldn't fly in the face of one of Apple's core tenets, privacy. The only thing close would be a program like the Able artist Foundation, but unless the program were to expand into hardware discounts, you would only be able to use any discount codes obtained through that on Apple software.
The long and short of it is that this simply isn't practical. Why not look for a refurbished iPhone SE2020 or Mac? Not everything you buy needs to be mint condition.

Instead of handouts, why aren't we pushing for greater employment?

In another universe maybe. I do not see apple doing so or any other company. Is all about the money. No money no product.

Truer words were never spoken.

Here we go, asking for hand outs again.

Instead of asking Apple to offer pity-points to people with disabilities, contact your local Commission for the Blind and see what services they offer. It's somewhat hard for me to articulate why this idea doesn't feel morally sound to me but nevertheless...I don't think this should be brought up to Apple. It is true that blind people might not have access to the same amount of money as their sighted counterparts due to the employment disparity, but asking Apple to reduce costs of their products for disabled people doesn't seem like a good idea. Also, it would change the perceptions surrounding the disabled community and would probably start a trend of people faking disabilities trying to get a discount.

I agree with Chris smart on this, I understand some a lot of people in the blind/disabled/whatever the heck ya wanna call it community struggle, but that doesn't mean you have to pay a fortune for a device. Push for more jobs that you can do so that way you can afford to purchase these. Phones will never be cheap like they once were. I'm sorry if it comes off rude, but I'm tired of people wanting cheap iPhones etc. Nothing in this world is free and petitioning never sits well with me...

In addition to all the excellent points made so far, there is another reason not to do this.

Apple already leads the market by providing world leading features to help people with disabilities to use their products. Right now they have an incentive to do so, we buy their devices. If we were to ask them for a discount, this will actually give them an incentive to step back on these features, so that they wouldn't have to sell as many cheaper phones.

I'm sure that most of us would prefer equality to a handout, and given that they now have new phones starting in the USA from $399-$1099, there really is an iPhone for most budgets. And if you can't afford $399, there are probably used phones that you could get.

I find it incredibly convenient that this was posted on the day of the Apple event, which sounds to me like the guy's after one of the higher end 12 models. What features do we actually need right now anyway that would involve us going for a discount?
5g is irrelevant for many on carriers other than TMobile, for at least a few more years. There's some slight market sensitivity decrease having not brought back touch ID when masks are staying around for I'd say at least half of the iPhone 12's launch cycle. Ceramic shield on its own is worth it given the amount of screen protectors that cut back on screen responsiveness, so if it means the phone is more durable on its own I am all for that. But no doubt that will make its way into budget phones sooner or later.

I am dead-set against this petition! It would be far better and more productive for us to advocate improving accessibility and fixing existing accessibility issues than it would be to press for some sort of discount solely because of our disabilities. I hope the petitioner will reconsider and take down their misguided petition.

If you want a phone that bad, pay monthly for it.

I live in the UK so don't know how America works but i'm sure they'll have deals or at least a monthly plan.

We don't need things for free or cheep just because we're blind.

Hi, i just wanted to add that i think that is a bit far to be asking. Why should we be given a discount just because we are disabled. If that was the case, everyone with a type of disability, should be asking for a discount just the same. Also a point to note, they came out with a phone that's affordable. I just think this is silly to even ask. We might be visually impaired, but that is it. It could be much werse than that. Apple found a way to make a phone that was able to be afforded, and not cost as much. Point why they came out with the many...

It should also be mentioned that the iPhone SE 2020 has the brains of the 11pro in a smaller, much more affordable package. Other than ceramic shield, there's really nothing worth callign for a special discount over.
@Brad: You're correct on that, there are ways to enter into monthly payment plans for the iPhone without entering into a carrier agreement. I believe you might get the best promotional financing if you have the Apple card, but you should nevertheless be able to finance the iPhone that way with any card provider.

This petition was to make the products of apple affordable to the community, keeping in mind the many in my country who are struggling for life, basic accessibility and opportunities for education or employment. I understand that this does not matter to many in developed countries but it does make a difference to us in developing countries. Apple may or may not consider this petition, but it's worth the try. For those thinking that this petition was raised to get free handouts; they are mistaken. Purpose was to help bring the accessibility that apple devices offer to a larger audience so that they can experience it. Besides, it would encourage more persons with a disability to buy apple products. Yes, as one of the comments said; it might be difficult for apple to validate someone's disability but I think we can think of such a solution. We don't have local charities that can offer us support in buying our devices at an affordable rate. So the challenges are many to list but the opportunities are extremely limited for a person with disability in India

Now if only this was the original petition's motive. Lower costs would hugely benefit folks in developing countries, not just those with disabilities. There is no question about that. This was not at all mentioned by the person who started the petition, but credit where credit is due, good on you for taking this argument in a direction that, if I'm being honest, a lot more people can get behind. The Apple tax is burdensome. Yes. I will give you that. I believe products like the iPhone SE2020 should hopefully start to bridge that gap, considering it is less than half the price of most starter models of these newer phones.
I'd honestly like to see how much ceramic shield weighs into the iPhone 12's cost, and how possible it would be to leverage that in a future SE model.

No to the original petition. Much of what I wanted to say has been said. i would just add that I'm in the top 10% of earners in the UK. Why should i get a discount when the chap who delivers my supermarket shopping doesn't?

In terms of developing countries, the problem is that you could make a case for a large number of communities that would benefit. So if you gave a discount to the disabled, for instance, why not give one to people in rural areas with poor telephone cabling meaning they can't get proper broadband? I believe Apple already does engage in quite a bit of corporate social responsibility, and perhaps it should do more, but I'd rather advocate that across the board than confine it to people with disabilities. Plus, could Apple not legitimately argue that in some developing countries access to many cloud services etc. is blocked, with a concommitant effect on the iPhone's use as an accessibility tool? Would you not get the rather unedifying spectacle of discounts for those living in Ghana but no discount for those living in Iran? So this way of looking at things has something going for it but it needs a bit of work.

I'm also from the UK and wouldn't want a discount.

I see where Mister Kayne is coming from but apple probably won't do anything.

There are androids though and while some may think they aren't as good as apple; they can work.

I think every new IPhone released.
the old one (like the last year of IPhone 11) has got cheaper than before.
and even SE 2020 is also more cheaper.
I think we don't have to get the latest one.

The only real way this could happen, and it won't, is if they allowed the software to exist, in unmodified form, on knockoff devices. Which they will never do. Unless the antitrust investigations force them to do a full 180, and even then, the hardware front is not likely to change.

I really don't see the point. Just buy a few generations back, as they will go down in price. I do this all the time when I can. I don't need the cream of the crop, not always anyway.

In developped countries, it definitely makes no sense since on the contrary, Apple products have largely contributed to equalizing opportunities for blind users in particular. Just read some of the discussions on topics / Apps like "Seeing AI", BlindSquare, the recent "Lidar" discussion, etc. These provide real added value to blind people at no extra cost, while before, we had to rely on third-person assistance.
Moreover, most western governments provide extra allowances / personal budgets to manage extra expense for persons with disability.
For developping countries, it makes sense however, but even on that point, Apple has made some progress, since the latest iPhone SE is available for only $399 and I am sure that sooner or later, charity organizations will follow that path since they too recognize the potential of smartphones.

Why should Apple do the job that the governments of developing countries should be doing? Some developing countries have life expectancies in the fifties but simultaneously boast that they have their own space exploration programmes. It's not apple's job to sort out the problems brought about by incompetent or inhumane rulers.

I still think this petition is a farce, and should not be considered. Like I said, buy the earlier phones, and wait a few years. We don't really need the best of the hbest, not all the time. My next phone might even be an iPhone 12 SE, in 2 years.

I would rother pay money to apple then sign a patition. we should strive toward grater employment then asking for a discount. I am sorry to discorrage you, but this is not how it works.

I have to agree. There is no such thing as a free lunch. My sig won't be on this, and I discourage all of you from signing this!

I don't think Apple should be solely responsible for performing the functions of governments, as previous posters have said. However, Apple products are still very expensive (even the older generations) and there should be a way for people to get them at a reduced price. Charities and nonprofits could help with this, but I don't think they'll completely fix the problem. A better solution would be grants or similar government-funded initiatives, maybe in partnership with Apple, I'm not sure, but directly asking Apple to give every disabled person discounts regardless of ned would not be a good idea.

Language barriers being what they are, Buy a Nokia 3600 or something. Did I need to text my boyfriend? No. Did I need to use Instagram? Twitter? No I didn't. It's all in how you present things. As I said, I understand India is very expensive compared to other countries, but calling "disabled", is offensive in my view. No i'm not trying to start a fight, call you what you will. At the end of the day, why is this up here? I have asked for an accessible treadmill in as polite and in the category I deemed appropriate. However, the moderators did not and tossed it. Ok. Why do these keep coming up?

I would never sign something like this. I have a disability, and I'm also fully capable of making payments on a phone. If I wasn't, I wouldn't buy one. Blindness doesn't mean I should get a discount. Every carrier I know of offers the opportunity to pay the device off monthly.

I'm also saying no to this. If I want something, I'll pay full price like the rest of the world. if I can't aford full price, I can do a payment plan. Don't expect companies like Apple to give you discounts just because you're disabled. That ain't how the universe works, bud.

Siobhan:
Accessible treadmills? You want one with an accessible mobile app, one such example is Sole Fitness. They're pricy, but they're decked out with practically every smart feature/integration in the book, not to mention physical buttons where appropriate. If you create a topic about this in particular, your treadmill topic shouldn't get moved. I've used the Sole TT8 treadmill for a while now and there isn't anything inaccessible about its operation, and it's mainstream.
Back to the original topic, then. Agree with everyone else, by the way.

That's where you order whatever you want off the menu and everyone else in line behind you pays for it. This drives up the cost for those who pay full price. If you want an Apple product, the tech is good enough now that you can purchase something pre-owned and have it work just fine.

As for the petition, shut it down.

A good friend shared this article on Forbes with me on Facebook where I posted about the same petition. I don't know where that thought went but I am eager to find out. Apparently, I wasn't the only one thinking of a disability discount; and I think I am asking it with a larger picture in mind of empowerment. Please visit the article and feel free to share your thoughts:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2020/04/20/the-fragile-feasibility-of-a--disability-discount-apple-store/#485007261248

Here is another article with the similar idea/ request: https://www.imore.com/apple-should-consider-discounts-people-disabilities