Forgive me if this sounds a bit melo dramatic but I am really not sure how to describe this particular circumstance. I’ll leave it up to your opinion. Some of you may indeed tell me that this is a bit melo dramatic and then there are others who may just agree with me.
In August 2020, I wrote and successfully passed my Apple Certified Support Professional Exam and at that time I honestly believed that this could be a stepping stone to my being able to find opportunities to work for this prestigious company For after all! There are those of us who aspire to work for companies such as Apple because of its so-called reputation as a leader in accessibility and inclusivity. I worked overtime to obtain this certification. I had to learn how to use voiceover, learn the Mac operating system, and then study for the actual exam itself. I was humbled to have been able to obtain this highly touted certification but alas! Since then I have spent endless hours doing my best to convince certain folks within the accessibility division of Apple that I was worthy of at least an informational interview with someone up the line.
Sure! I was put in touch with 2 specific individuals but I humbly and respectfully submit that these 2 persons have been unable to help me get very far. I have received several reasons/excuses as to why it would be difficult to find ways to open doors of opportunity to work with Apple as a consultant. I have been told that in order to join the Apple Consulting network I would need to fork out a million dollars for insurance purposes. I have made several suggestions that could have been tried but alas! They have all been rebuffed.
For example: To work with developers to make their apps more accessible and inclusive.
To promote encouraging third parties to make accessibility and inclusivity a part of their tool kit.
To work with Apple consultants to promote accessibility and inclusivity.
To work with Apple to make their exams more accessible plus more.
To work with retail stores to promote accessibility and inclusivity.
To encourage them to find ways to reach out to companies serving customers with disabilities
And to reach out to customers with disabilities.
The disappointing thing here is that when I and my coach were featured in a podcast to promote our services as accessibility consultants, we did not receive a single inquiry from anyone.
So what’s wrong here? Why should I be disappointed? Why should I be surprised?
Maybe none of the above! I naively thought that Apple would be different but sadly enough no! I honestly felt that with my credentials as a hardworking and high profile Canadian advocate along with my acquired Apple certification I could somehow have been able to at least bore a tiny hole in the web of Apple’s hiring process.
I have come away entirely empty handed. For after almost 3 years of engagement, I have nothing to show for my efforts. I am tuckered out, tired, disappointed, and disillusioned! For whereas I had originally hoped that Apple was a cut above other technology companies; they are sadly not! They are probably no different when it comes to walking the walk. They are very good at talking the walk but that’s it. I can only urge them to keep in mind that when it comes to accessibility and inclusivity, we are the ones with our lived experiences and unique expertise who are in the best position to be of service. We are authentic and ready to help.
Please; and this is not just for Apple but for others as well; we really need for you to take a long hard look at how you view accessibility and inclusivity.
This is not a nice to have or just an add on for publicity purposes! This is fast becoming a must because at the end of the day consumers such as seniors and persons with disabilities are going to be your bread and butter consumers. I respectfully submit that you need to keep this in mind and a rapidly aging population will only intensify this trend.
My final thoughts? I can sit back and give in to Apple’s unhealthy actions or I can work to encourage others to work to convince Apple that their policies and strategies need to be changed from those of protectionism to those of better engagement and affirmative communication.
Just my two cents for today.
Image = A green apple whose surface is cracked and full of deep fissures.
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit www.donnajodhan.com
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