[blindlaw] general input please

Tue Feb 3 22:13:49 UTC 2009

You may want to consider a product called Fastcase in your training. It
is a web-based research program that comes as a benefit of membership in
many bar associations. For example, here in Virginia we all have access
to Fastcase for legal research. It is a web 2.0 service. I'm not sure how
well it would integrate with JAWS, but you may want to check with their
tech people. If nothing else an inquiry may put pressure on them to make
the program JAWS friendly.

Patrick H. Stiehm
Stiehm Law Office
Alexandria, VA 22309
703-360-1089 (Voice)
703-935-8266 (Fax)

On Tue, 3 Feb 2009 11:01:46 -0700 "Scott C. LaBarre"
<slabarre at labarrelaw.com> writes:
> 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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