[blindlaw] general input please

Tue Feb 3 21:19:23 UTC 2009

Yes; especially if it involves some of the state-of-the-art software for
litigation.

Respectfully,

Russell J. Thomas, Jr.

THOMAS & ASSOCIATES

Orange County Office                      

4121 Westerly Place, Suite 101

Newport Beach, California 92660                             

T: (949) 752-0101                             

F: (949) 257-4756

M: (949) 466-7238

Beverly Hills Office

9107 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 450

Beverly Hills, California 90210 

T: (310) 461-3561

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Scott C. LaBarre
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 10:02 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: [blindlaw] general input please

Greetings:

Last April, the National Association of Blind Lawyers conducted a training
session with a WestLaw representative who knew JAWS and assistive technology
for the blind/visually impaired.  Many of us found the training extremely
valuable because we were working in an accessible computer lab and the
instructor could give us JAWS specific ways to access the information.  Of
course, it was also very helpful that we could hear exactly what she was
doing.  

We are contemplating similar and expanded efforts in the future.  These
efforts would not only include additional training on technology based aids
like Westlaw or Lexis but also how to manage litigation using alternative
techniques and assistive technology.  We could also offer some training for
non-litigators who are involved in more regulatory or transactional work.
One way to think of this is a series of training academies for
blind/visually impaired attorneys.  Of course, CLE would be an important
part of any of this.  

So, before we plunge forward, I wanted to gage a sense of potential demand
for such training.  Assuming CLE credit would be offered and participants
would be trained how to maximize their efficiency using assistive technology
and other techniques, would your organization/employer pay for such
training?  If you are a solo/small firmer, would you pay for it?  It would
also make sense to offer this training to law students so that they could
gain valuable skills prior to even setting foot in the legal profession.  I
suspect that voc rehab agencies could be convinced to pay for such blindness
specific training.  

I know that the next question is how much?  The truth is we don't know
exactly.  There could be a wide variety of programs offered differing
greatly in scope.  If, for example, we offered a NITA like trial training
course using assistive technology and teaching effective, nonvisual
litigation techniques, the training might be a week and would probably cost
something similar to courses like NITA's.  One or two day seminars
emphasizing legal research would, of course, be much different in scope and
cost less.

Any way, I am seeking general input and thoughts about potential training
programs.  Not only am I attempting to gage demand, I am also seeking ideas
about the type of training folks would find useful.  I thank you in advance
for your help.  Please feel free to send me a message directly or respond
generally to the list.  

Scott C. LaBarre, Esq.

LaBarre Law Offices P.C.
1660 South Albion Street, Ste. 918
Denver, Colorado 80222
303 504-5979 (voice)
303 757-3640 (fax)
slabarre at labarrelaw.com (e-mail)
www.labarrelaw.com (website)

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