[blindlaw] NFB sues LSAC

Fri Feb 20 01:27:46 UTC 2009

Scott, Couldn't the other Side say that Blind people have been attending law 
school for years, and haven't had any problems? If I were a juror, who knew 
nothing about blindness I'd probley be asking this question. ----- Original 
Message ----- 
From: "Scott C. LaBarre" <slabarre at labarrelaw.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] NFB sues LSAC

I know that we have been working on a number of projects to increase access
to websites that use systems like you suggest.  Often times, such access
barriers are tied up with others.  I would suggest that you contact our
access technology department, consult the Braille Monitor, review the
monthly Presidential releases, visit our website, for more answers.  We are
aware of many problems with access issues.  However, it is very aken to
answering the question of how one eats an elephant.  It's one bite at a
time.
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)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message may contain confidential and privileged
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve P. Deeley" <stevep.deeley at insightbb.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] NFB sues LSAC

I would like to know what your legal team plans to do about all of the web
sites mandating that you inter the numbers you see on the screen prior to
signing on to the site, blogging on the site, or purchasing merchandise..
These numbers, from what I've been able to determine are not accessible if
you are using a screen reader; therefore, the web site is not accessible.  I
would be very interested in hearing what action you or the NFB plan to take
in these matters?

Steve
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott C. LaBarre" <slabarre at labarrelaw.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 10:27 AM
Subject: [blindlaw] NFB sues LSAC

Greetings:

I am part of the legal team filing this complaint today and thought the list
would be interested in the below release.
*****************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org

LSAC Discriminates Against Blind Law School Applicants
National Federation of the Blind Sues Law School Admissions Council for
Inaccessible Web Site and LSAT Preparation Materials

Baltimore, Maryland (February 19, 2009): The National Federation of the
Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people; its
California affiliate; and a blind law school applicant, Deepa Goraya, are
filing a lawsuit today against the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).
The complaint asserts that the LSAC, the body that administers the Law
School Admissions Test (which most aspiring law students must take) and
provides other services to law schools and law school applicants, violates
the California Disabled Persons Act and the Unruh Act because its Web site
(www.lsac.org) and LSAT preparation materials are inaccessible to blind law
school applicants.  The plaintiffs have attempted to meet with the LSAC to
resolve the matter, but the LSAC canceled a planned meeting.

Blind people access Web sites on computers equipped with screen access
software that converts what is on the screen into synthesized speech or
Braille.  The keyboard is used instead of a mouse to navigate the Web site
and click on selected links or buttons. If a Web site is improperly coded,
however, blind computer users cannot access the site.  Blind people can also
use screen readers to access certain kinds of electronic documents,
including those in the popular Portable Document Format (PDF).  However, if
PDF files are not properly "tagged," they cannot be used by the blind.  The
LSAC Web site contains accessibility barriers including improperly formatted
online forms, tables and charts that cannot be read by screen access
software, and faulty keyboard navigation support.  These access barriers
make it difficult or impossible for blind people to use the Web site to
register to take the LSAT, among other things.  The Web site is also the
only avenue for people to apply online to any law school accredited by

the American Bar Association.  However, blind applicants cannot submit their
applications without sighted assistance because the application forms are
improperly formatted.  In addition, none of the LSAT practice materials,
which include previously administered versions of the test that sighted
people can obtain on the LSAC Web site, are available in accessible
electronic formats.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"The Internet is extremely useful to blind people, as well as our sighted
peers, when Web sites are properly formatted according to well-established
guidelines; there is no good reason for any Web site offering goods and
services to the public to be inaccessible to blind people.  For too long,
blind people have experienced barriers to entering the legal profession,
despite our long history of demonstrated success in that field.  The
National Federation of the Blind will not sit quietly while the LSAC
willfully refuses to provide the same services to blind people seeking
admission to law school that it does to the sighted.  The LSAC is engaging
in blatant discrimination against the blind and we will not stand for it."

Deepa Goraya, a law school applicant and named plaintiff in the suit, said:
"Trying to use the LSAC Web site made the experience of applying to law
school a nightmare when it should have been as easy for me as for anyone
else.  I had to select and rely upon a reader for over fifty hours to
complete my law school applications.  Also, none of the practice tests
available on the Web site were accessible.  I want the process of gaining
admission to law school to be easier for all blind people who are interested
in entering this noble profession, and I hope this action will achieve that
goal."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

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)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message may contain confidential and privileged
information. If you are not the designated recipient, you may not read,
copy, distribute or retain this message. If you received this message in
error, please notify the sender at 303) 504-5979 or slabarre at labarrelaw.com,
and destroy and delete it from your system. This message and any attachments
are covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521.
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