[blindlaw] Request for laptop during essay section denied

Sat Jun 13 16:39:20 UTC 2009

Did they let you use spell-check?
Did they have a proctor in the room with you?

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rod Alcidonis" <roddj12 at hotmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Request for laptop during essay section denied

> Angie:
>
>
>
> That's upsetting, and  very upsetting. This is a common accommodation
> granted in many many states, including New York, Pennsylvania, etc.
> Pennsylvania granted this accommodation to me without any fights or
> anything. Once the director of the board knew I was blind, he told me that
> this is how all blind takers take their exams, and that this was standard
> for his office. I cannot imagine having to dictate to someone to write for
> you. The thought processes will be lost in the dictation.
>
>
>
> New Jersey is almost trying to do the same thing to me and I am gearing up
> for a long, and hard fight. It's not even my first State; it is my second
> State because it borders with Pennsylvania and there are job prospects 
> there
> for me. They are asking for me to use a reader for the essay portion. I 
> told
> them I have never taken not even a high-school exams in this manner, and I
> will not do it for the bar exam. She told me that she was going to talk 
> more
> with the bar examiners and would get back to me; I am still waiting. I had 
> a
> friendly exchange with her which will certainly escalate should it does 
> not
> go my way! I have taken and won these fights, and I am confident I will 
> take
> them on hard, and I will fight till the end. This is a shame.
>
>
>
> If I were you, I would write a letter requesting unlimited (or 
> significantly
> more) time so that you have time to go back and adequately make sure that
> your answers read as you want them to. Otherwise, take legal action. This 
> is
> very and very upsetting. I am writing this as angry as one could be. It is
> just sad that these decisions are being made by "bar examiners."
>
>
>
> As an alternative, I would advise that you immediately place another,
> detailed letter in the record, once again documenting your request should
> anything happen GFB. I would note on the letter that you are taking the 
> exam
> under protest, and list the reasons.
>
>
>
> The sighted folks can use their laptop out of preference, but for you, 
> they
> have to provide it as an accommodation. They don't require anyone who is
> unable to hand-write to use a court reporter.
>
>
>
> Take care, Angie. try not to let this interfere with your preparation as
> much.
>
>
>
> Rod Alcidonis, J.D.
> C. 718-704-4651
> roddj12 at hotmail.com
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Angie Matney" <angie.matney at gmail.com>
> To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 7:53 PM
> Subject: [blindlaw] Request for laptop during essay section denied
>
>
>> 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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>
>
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