Apple Store Accessibility Ideas

Updating the Apple Store for Disability and Inclusion + Apple Photos Redesign Ideas to make Photos more Useful for Researchers

I visted the Apple Store at the Carnegie Library during the Salesforce DC World Tour.

I am interested in helping the ADA community who want to visit, shop and learn at the Apple Stores.

Here are a few suggestions/modifications I have:

1. Please put an ADA button on front doors so those who can not open the doors on their own can get in to the store.
2. The chairs/seats at the Apple Stores are hard, flat and made of wood. This may be fine for those with out hip and spine disorders, but not ok for many who have scoliosis plus stenosis and osteoarthritis, injuries from accidents, sports injuries, injured military, or athletic individuals over fifty who are experiencing new forms of joint pain and spine degeneration. The chairs could have cushions on them or there could be a different type of chair provided for those in need. When I was at the store, the staff brought a chair out from the back for me when I told them I could not sit on the hard seat. That was nice of them, but it still feels frustrating to have to ask for special accommodations just to shop and learn about upgrading my products or to attend an Apple Store class.

Apple Carnegie Library, DC — Seating to watch classes, April 2022 | This is one of the most beautiful stores, architecturally speaking, though seating and disability inclusion should be considered in the future.

3. Can there be a special “Listening Room” at the Apple Store for people to learn about Apple Music and take Apple Music Classes? I often feel like Apple Stores would benefit from an IKEA approach, where you are guided through rooms or unique spaces that feature different products and tools.
For example:
a) an Art and Design room/section
b) A Photography/Video room/section
c) A Music Room.
This would include all you can do with Apple Music, a stage for shows, a place to teach Music Classes, all music accessories.
d) An area for accessories only.
This would include cases and Apple Air Tags.
e) There should be a “Quiet Area”, just like a Library, where you can try products out with out the noise, especially for those with Disabilities.

It is nice to be able to spend some time at the Apple Store, exploring and learning, but if there is no quiet space or calming space for this, it feels too loud and noisy for some of us who are easily distracted by background noises.

4. In January of 2022, I shared my ideas for Apple Photos Redesign with the Apple Photos team. As a lifelong user of Apple Products and UX Designer, I have many ideas to improve the usability of products and features and am always willing to help.

Thank you for listening. I recently visited the Apple Store in Greenwich Connecticut, and these are comments I have about my ADA experience there and at a handful of stores, from California to Boston. I love Apple products and have been a life-long Apple user, but seek to improve both product and stores to make them more useful and user friendly for ALL. Thank you.
— Colleen M. Proppé cproppe@me.com