Steve Kelley CRC, CVRT
skelley@theiris.org
NEAER Apple Social as a Marketing Tool Presentation
Program Background
ATES Program (Access Technology and Employment
Services) includes:
 Bonnie Gouzie Program Director (aka Honey Crisp)
 Susan Anderson CRC (aka: Granny Smith or Crab
Apple)
 John Allen, Certified Job Coach (aka: Johnny Apple
Seed)
 Steve Kelley CRC, CVRT (aka: Mac)
The Apple Social began with the donation of several iPads
from IDEXX (www.idexx.com) for training, and the
question: “How can we make access technology more fun
and less intimidating?”
Apple Social Background
Apple Social idea grew out of questions and interests
expressed by consumers during demonstration
presentations such as Out-of-the-Box held near the
holidays; Back-to-School Gadgets, etc. We heard
consumers were very interested in Apple iOS Products,
and learning more about them, both for introductory
training, and for purchasing decisions. “Is this iPad,
iPhone, iPod Touch right for me?”
Scripted presentations have been modified over time, with
the target audience being, VIP support groups, retirement
communities or programs for elders:
 1 and 1.5 hr presentations
 Presentations may include 1-4 staff members (2-4 is
best)
 “When did it get away from us?” (Consumers with
more experience, greater number of questions, or
specific interests)
 Emphasis on the Apple Theme:
o “Bushels of information,” iOS is the “Core of the
Apple devices;”
o Apple names;
o Apple snack
Apple Social Goals
 Informational, specifically to help consumers decide if
these are appropriate tools;
 Accessibility overview (the Apple Social was not
designed specifically for VIP audience, rather an
audience where vision impairment was likely to be a
factor);
 Basic concepts such as Apps, App Store, Icons, SIRI,
VoiceOver and Zoom;
 Comparison to other devices—paper and pencil,
digital recorder, NLS Talking Book Player, etc.
 Generate interest in individual or group classes.
 Have fun with technology
Apple Social Specifics
 First Apple Social March 2014 Boothbay Support
Group with 11 participants
 Follow-up call from one consumer after this
presentation included the following quote, “The Apple
Social was a huge success! It was fun and kept each
one of us interested and engaged. I think there is a
huge, untapped market and this is the perfect way to
reach them. Technology can be scary but your team
made it fun and we learned with ease.”
 5 Apple Socials in 2014
 5 Apple Socials in 2015 with another scheduled
 Largest group of participants was the Rainbow Club in
Augusta with 30
 Smallest group was the Lewiston Career Center with
1 consumer and 6 professionals
 117 total participants to date
 6 individuals signed up for additional classes
 four of these individuals paid privately for their
lessons
 a new support group for people with vision loss has
been started at Piper Shores Retirement Community
 the Boothbay Support Group has requested additional
training on the iPad
Practical Procedures
 Snack first as part of Intro
 iPads were best for introduction
 Have several available for hands-on demo (stay with
the demo because stuff happens)
 Return to script or outline when possible
 Ask for follow-up questions and assessment of
presentation (and be open to them) to make changes
Example Marketing Document produced March 2015
ACCESS TECHNOLOGY AND EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES
A PROGRAM OF THE IRIS NETWORK
Presents
THE APPLE SOCIAL
Marketing Information
Access Technology and Employment Services (ATES,
pronounced At Ease), a program of the Iris Network
www.theiris.org , is pleased to present an Apple Social to
your group. We will introduce you to the Apple iPad, a
tablet computer popular for technology needs at school,
work and home. With features called Voice Over and
Zoom, the iPad is accessible to individuals with low vision
or blindness, right out of the box. It does not matter how
well you can see the screen, no special hardware or
software is required for you to use this state of the art
technology.
The Apple Social is a 1 ½ hour free program. We try to
keep it light, informative and fun and we gear our
language to technology explorers, rather than experts. To
continue the Apple theme, we even serve an apple
dessert!
Our team of Access Technology Specialists has presented
the Apple Social to retirement communities and support
groups for the visually impaired in Southern Maine with a
terrific response. We are delighted to have the opportunity
to offer this program to your group.