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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
</b>Release Date: <br>
Monday, March 6, 2017<br>
Category: <br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6802&qid=1674972">
National</a><br>
Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
Scott Overland<br>
Pearson<br>
202-909-4520<br><br>
<b>Pearson Announces Career Exploration Mentorship Program for Students,
Young Professionals with Disabilities<br>
</b><br>
Collaboration with National Federation of the Blind brings decades of
experience preparing blind and low vision students for career
success<br><br>
Today Pearson, in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB),
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6803&qid=1674972">
announced the launch</a> of a new career exploration mentorship program
for college students and recent graduates who have disabilities. The
program will begin as a pilot, combining the NFB’s expertise in mentoring
and advocating for career opportunities for blind and low-vision students
and Pearson’s commitment to providing mentorship to a wide range of
students with disabilities. The program will provide participants with
access to guidance, advice, and support from experienced professionals
working in a variety of legal-related positions at Pearson.<br><br>
Blind, low vision and students with disabilities often face low
expectations or unnecessary roadblocks when identifying and pursuing
career paths. This can result in a ‘channeling’ into jobs that they
are not passionate about or that limit their true potential. Participants
in this three-month pilot program will be paired with a mentor who has
been specifically trained on how to guide and advise blind or disabled
students who may be unfamiliar with the opportunities and preparation
necessary to succeed in corporate environments. Mentors work in a variety
of functions on the Pearson legal team and will help students access a
breadth of resources – from meetings with senior leaders to advice on
preparing and tackling education and career goals to building a resume
and identifying interesting internships and jobs.<br><br>
“I am excited and proud at the level of enthusiasm we have seen in
Pearson’s legal department as we have prepared to announce this program.
Our goal is simple, yet incredibly important: to help guide young
professionals who are disabled to find the career opportunities that
match their passions,” said Bjarne Tellmann, general counsel for Pearson.
“With the experience and partnership of the NFB, we want to open the door
to careers that many young, disabled people didn’t know existed or were
accessible to them, and support them as they take the next step in their
professional lives.”<br><br>
“For over seventy-five years, the National Federation of the Blind has
fostered mentoring relationships in order to raise the expectations of
the blind and to help them achieve their dreams and live the lives they
want. Partnering with Pearson is a natural outgrowth of this important
work, allowing aspiring blind professionals to establish mentoring
relationships with their peers and obtain career guidance that will
increase the odds of success. We look forward to working with Pearson to
build this program and get more blind people on the pathway to the board
rooms of major corporations around the world,” said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind.<br><br>
Students can begin applying for the pilot program immediately by
e-mailing Elizabeth Delfs at
<a href="mailto:elizabeth.delfs@pearson.com">
elizabeth.delfs(at)pearsoned(dot)com</a>. Pearson and the NFB hope to
continue and expand the program past the pilot stage.<br><br>
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About the National Federation of the Blind <br><br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.<br><br>
About Pearson<br>
Pearson is the world’s learning company, with expertise in educational
courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services
powered by technology. Our mission is to help people make progress
through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens
up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more,
visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6804&qid=1674972">
http://www.pearson.com</a>.<br><br>
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