Deaf Company applying for Developer Program hitting a snag

Unfortunately you are not addressing Apple here, just other users like yourself. The moderators have been notified of this and might be able to notify someone higher up of the situation.

I'm surprised however about the call back requirement. This wasn;t the case in the past unless there was some problem with the application. Usually everything is just down through the developer website. How far into the application were you when you were told that a callback was required?

I'll see if the hosts will move this to the Developer Forums, there might be others there that were in your situation and can offer help.

good luck

regards

nalply wrote:

It seems to be required that Apple calls back for verification.

No, it is required that anyone applying for a business account be able to identify themselves as a legal entity. If you are applying under an individual account, your credit card is sufficient for that. If you are applying as a business, you need a DUNS number and other documentation to verify you are who you say you are. There is a massive amount of fraud in the developer programs. There a also a massive number of people complaining that Apple does not accept their DUNS number or other documentations.

Four weeks have passed since the application. And now nobody answers anymore when I send emails or support forms requesting a status update.

And I think next week is Thanksgiving in the US and all Apple employees are taking the week off I hear. I'm sure that problem will clear up in December.

From what I see with a couple of Google searches, two months is pretty standard for a business account.

It's the same as providing accessibility to buildings and websites. The Apple Developer Program has to provide accessibility like everyone else.

No, it isn't. The Apple Developer program is not a public building or service. There is absolutely nothing keeping you out of the developer program. You are asking for business account. That requires additional verification.

My partner is very disappointed in Apple. He said, Apple believes that Deaf people are dumb and not able to develop software.

Now that is just silly. Why would he say that? And why would you repeat it here? It doesn't help your cause.

What do my colleagues have to do with your problems getting a developer account?

It seems your problems are now resolved. You have received your business developer account in about half the time it normally takes. While Apple was escalating your problem and looking for a resolution, you were trashing them in public. Way to go.

He isn't angry.

Have you looked at the contents of the Contact Us link at the bottom of every Apple web page?

If you had (instead of getting all indignant about how awful Apple treats hearing-impaired customers), you would have seen this:

"If you have a hearing or vision impairment, call877-204-3930 for direct access to Apple representatives who are trained in providing support using accessibility services."

That took all of 1 minute to find.

Call 1-877-204-3930 for direct access to Apple representatives who are trained in providing support using accessibility services. Please note this number is U.S. only.

from Apple - Accessibility - Contact Support

nalply wrote:

And please! How can a Deaf person phone 877-204-3930?

The same thought crossed my mind and i can hear 😀

Fortunately you received the assistance you needed and got your issue resolved. There is realty nothing to be gained by continuing this conversation.

Good luck with the app you're developing

regards

<Edited By Host>

Strange indeed.

That number is non-functional.

nalply wrote:

etresoft, please stop being angry.

A sure-fire way to get one's thread deleted here in Apple Support Communities is to leave the technical discussions behind and start attacking people personally. I'm not one to report posts like that when directed at me. I prefer a more orthoganal engagement.

Do you know how essential phoning is today? Delivery people phone ahead to check if anybody is home. Many forms have phone numbers required. Customs try to phone me to find out what to do with the package. Apple tried to phone us. The CA tried to phone us.

Actually, no. I haven't had a single business-related phone call in two years at least. Nobody phones anymore. People send e-mails and the luddites still send faxes. Curiously, the vast majority of complaints from non-US developers trying to get business developer accounts stems from Apple's reliance of faxes for international business. They ask "Seriously Apple? Who has a fax machine anymore?" Why didn't you mention anything about a fax? This is the very first time I have heard of a phone call in this context.

But please imagine: You order a thingamajig on a foreign website. They ask for your tax number. You don't have the right one because you live in a different country. You get a few mails that they escalate and reassign your case. After two weeks this stops. No replies, no mails, nothing.

After four weeks, boom, you have your thingamajig delivered.

A developer account is a far cry from a "thingamajig" you order over the internet. It is a financial service where Apple pays you money. And yes. Taxes are involved. You don't live in a different country. Your product will be sold from the United States so you and Apple are responsible for complying with US and international trade, financial, and tax law. It gets complicated real fast. You are doing international business deals and those things simply take a long time.

And for the record, Apple's support number for people needing accessiblity services is:

1-877-204-3930

It works fine when I called it. Please use the correct number. When dealing with things like software development, taxes, money, and the law, details are important.

I mis-dialed.

The number works.

nalpy --

A long time ago, my mother was very ill and in a wheelchair. I took her to stores and malls when she needed something and was still able to go. We couldn't find a parking spot near the entrances. All the "Wheelchair assessible" spots were taken, and mostly by perfectly abled people in a hurry. There were so many barriers to getting my mother where she needed to go, it was very frustrating.

No one can really understand what it's like living in a wheelchair, or being deaf, unless they, or someone really close is dealing with those situations.

Because of trying to help my mother, I will never again park in a handicapped zone, beause "I'll only be a minute."

I completely understand why you asked the question

etresoft, do you know a Deaf developer yourself?

I sincerely expect that Apple will address your needs with you and your partner ASAP. We're all just other Mac users volunteering here to help other Mac users. Or at least that's what we're suupposed to do.

All the best.