Dear Bungie Team,
I don't think disabled players should have to pay for the pin. For those who are either mentally, physically disabled, or elderly, releasing a pin in Disability Awareness for sell can be very insensitive towards us and inaccessible. Here is why, as most know, we are statistically less likely to have the income to buy it in comparison to neurotypicals and able-bodied people. In the current state of various countries, COVID-19 has impacted us all to where it has become increasingly difficult to obtain disability services and supplemental income, including SNAP/EBT. Plenty of the time, to offset these inconveniences, such as the government giving many the run-around or declining services for those who need it. However, many people who are middle-class or with family/friend support systems are easily able to manage cost, or pay for things like new expansions, DLC, and any merchandise that may be provided in the store in order to make sure we are happy and have something to occupy our time., or making it hard to find a job or one that is accessible and accommodating to our disability. Being Destiny 2 and various video games within our modern area have been quite beneficial for maintaining the mental health of people with disabilities.
But for those who are not as fortunate, and who have been alone with a disability, we do not share those privileges and have often been forced to manage things on our own. Which can be quite difficult when a mental health crisis could happen any second due to the pressure. So with the lack of a support system, in order to get updated in any expansions, DLC, or merchandise within the Bungie store, and with our only source of income being social security, or for the few, seven hours at Walmart, we can't afford as to pay money for merchandise that was MEANT to support and raise awareness for us. I believe in order to make the awareness pins more accessible to people like me, that we should be able to fill out a form to have it sent out to the disabled percent of the player base to confirm disability and have it available to purchase for those who are without a diagnosed mental, or physical disability (including those who are 65+ years and older). Like why expect us to pay for a charity meant to help us when we directly need to help ourselves as disabled people? Most people never see a dime of money or support from these charities. So how is it fair?
I'm not saying this to be a free-loader, but we have struggled just as anybody else has, we already have enough expenses along with only getting the income that is barely half of what a 9-5 PM McDonald employee gets paid a year. With unexpected expenses, expecting us to buy the pin can be quite intolerant and unreasonable when it was MEANT for us and there should be a compromise so we can also show that we are disabled, that we are gamers, and that we love Bungie. Please think about it.
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Edited by Shark_Shank: 10/1/2021 4:57:43 AMThe proceeds from the sale goes to charity that helps disabled gamers The organization creates opportunities that enable play to combat social isolation, fosters inclusive communities, and improves the quality of life for people with disabilities. This pin isn't meant "for us" it is to help raise funds and awareness for a charitable organization that helps us.