[blindlaw] Request for laptop during essay section denied

[Angie Matney]

Hello,

 

I asked for and was granted a Braille MBE and a Braille version of the ssay
questions. My request to write my answers to the essays was denied. I am
supposed to dictate them to a court reporter. The documentation I received
from the VA bar examiners is unclear as to whether or not I will first be
able to prepare my answers in Braille and then dictate them (it specifically
says I can do this for the MBE, but not the essays), or whether I have to
simply dictate my answers. I have serious concerns about my ability to
perform effectively on the exam if it is the latter. I have never taken an
essay test via dictation--I mentioned this in my accommodations request. I
explained why the process was different for the MBE and the essay portion of
the bar, but apparently my explanation was not sufficient, not understood,
or not accepted.

 

Has anyone been granted the option to use a laptop during the state-specific
portion of the Bar exam? It is my understanding that this is fairly common.

 

Virginia does have a program whereby any person taking the exam can register
to take it via laptop, but I have concerns about the accessibility of the
software they use, which disables all but some basic word-processing
functions of the computer. The software is called Exam4, and the maker is
Extegrity. Has anyone had experience with this software and a screen reader?

 

Thanks,

 

Angie

 

 

 

 

 

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