As a visually impaired student, I have encountered Pearson online products at two different colleges personally which are not accessible with screen readers. Some of these simply supplement courses and others are mandatory for certain courses. However, none are screen reader accessible. Such products include, but are not limited to, MyITLab, MyMathLab, MyStatLab, Mastering Science, and a host of other online products designed to supplement courses. Again these are mandatory for some courses and optional for others. However, dozens of colleges around the country have been using their products for years now and even high schools have started picking them up. There has been no response to individuals, myself and others included, contacting them regarding their inaccessibility.

As a result, we, the undersigned, request that the National Federation of the Blind intervene on our behalf. We are students, prospective students, teachers, and other individuals who are interested in expanding accessibility and leveling the playing field for blind individuals. We would like to see Pearson finally take accessibility seriously, and believe that this will only get done with the representation and support of the NFB. This change would positively affect blind and visually impaired individuals around the country, and would give us greater resources for scholastic success.

While Pearson is a third party provider of products, the fact that many colleges use these products as integral parts of their courses and that Pearson also provides other products and services related to education should make them just as responsible for abiding by the Americans With Disabilities Act as any other public entity.

Please take into consideration the needs of all of the undersigned and the groups they represent and help us to achieve accessibility of these products for all.

Thank you,

The Undersigned