[blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support

Derek Wilson dwilson.lists at gmail.com
Fri May 28 00:59:12 UTC 2010


You can count on me for support as well, if and when it is needed.

Derek

On 5/28/10, William ODonnell <william.odonnell1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Agreed.  Let me know what I can do to help when or if needed.
>
>
> --- On Thu, 5/27/10, Tom Ladis <tom at tomladis.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Tom Ladis <tom at tomladis.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Date: Thursday, May 27, 2010, 10:20 AM
>> This has all been a big drag.
>> Luckily, Equipped For Equality is concerned
>> and will be representing me to get things straightened out
>> and wake them up
>> a little bit.  If they are not able to get them to do
>> something under a
>> cooperative agreement it may go to the next level.  It
>> may take litigation
>> to get them to make permanent changes, but we will take it
>> one step at a
>> time.
>>
>>
>> Either way, Kaplan and LSAC are both out of touch with the
>> spirit of the ADA
>> legislation and need blind people to keep whacking at them
>> until they can
>> level things off for the next guy.
>>
>>
>> Tom
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "William ODonnell" <william.odonnell1 at yahoo.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 10:35 AM
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>>
>>
>> You will not be able to utilize there "accessible software"
>> and online
>> exercises.  I outsourced and used readers who were
>> from local agencies who
>> volunteered there time.  I would start to make
>> consumer complaints since you
>> are not getting what you paid for.--- On Wed, 5/26/10, Tom
>> Ladis
>> <tom at tomladis.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > From: Tom Ladis <tom at tomladis.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 8:11 AM
>> > Hello Dennis and All,
>> >
>> > Sorry to have dropped off for a while. I have been
>> > trying to catch up with the reading that I have been
>> able to
>> > do. Kaplan has not yet provided the books in PDF
>> files
>> > that are tagged correctly, and I have been using what
>> they
>> > have sent me but not reading the stuff that has
>> formatting
>> > issues due to table conversion issues. I have also
>> not
>> > done any of their online exercises. Once I am able to
>> > take the LSAT in June I will have more time to pursue
>> all of
>> > these issues with Kaplan.
>> >
>> > At this point, I was able to find a friend who was
>> willing
>> > to act as a reader / scribe for my first practice
>> > exam. To my amazement, after using the Princeton
>> > Review method of guessing on the Logic Games section,
>> I was
>> > able to score a 137. Not great or high enough to get
>> > into many schools, but probably a good first attempt.
>> >
>> > I was also told by an employee at Kaplan, although I
>> have
>> > not verified her statement, that the LSAT is being
>> > administered on a computer starting this year. If
>> that
>> > is true, it looks like they are moving in a direction
>> that
>> > will put everyone into the same ball park. They are
>> > still going to provide my test in a printed format
>> along
>> > with a reader and scribe. This tells me that they are
>> > not able to administer the test with JAWS or another
>> screen
>> > reader application. She reported that people did not
>> > like the computer format because it did not allow them
>> to do
>> > their roadmaps and notation on the booklet, which is
>> how
>> > Kaplan trains test takers.
>> >
>> > More later as I try to get another practice exam or
>> three
>> > done before the actual test.
>> >
>> > Dennis. I will call you today to try to arrange
>> > sending the Lesson Book PDF to see if you have any
>> better
>> > luck with the tables. I have just been avoiding the
>> > question text that got jumbled during conversion, and
>> > appreciate your offer of support.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Tom
>> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Clark"
>> > <dennisgclark at sbcglobal.net>
>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 12:07 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> >
>> >
>> > Hello Tom,
>> > I have been trying to get the playing field leveled
>> for
>> > about 20 years now
>> > since I graduated from law school and I have had some
>> > success over the
>> > years dealing with the LSAC. I would be happy to
>> > convert the PDF's that
>> > Kaplan gave you into possibly more accurate files than
>> you
>> > can do with Open
>> > Book. The files are too large to be sent as email
>> > attachments but if we can
>> > talk by phone I can help you send them to me using a
>> file
>> > transfer service
>> > that I use. I would also like to talk with you about
>> > the legal problems
>> > raised by the inaccessibility of the Kaplan course.
>> > Over the years I have
>> > taken Kaplan courses for the GRE and LSAT, and neither
>> was
>> > accessible, but
>> > my Kaplan experience preceded the passage of the ADA.
>> > However, the ADA has
>> > been in effect now for 18 years and it is time that
>> they
>> > get their act
>> > together and provide complete course accessibility.
>> > Please give me a call
>> > if you would like to talk at (310) 285-0244. I am
>> > located in California,
>> > but I am also licensed to practice law in Illinois. I
>> > look forward to
>> > talking with you.
>> > Warmest regards,
>> > Dennis Clark
>> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Ladis" <tom at tomladis.com>
>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 6:15 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks for all of the great info. LSAC has been very
>> > difficult to work with
>> > to date. They seem to prefer doing things by email
>> > instead of human
>> > interaction. They are not willing to give much
>> > information over the phone,
>> > and have posted a scanned image of an accommodation
>> letter
>> > in PDF files for
>> > me to view. Funny, huh? I would like to see
>> > them add some more check boxes
>> > to their accommodations forms to assign
>> accommodations
>> > advisors to people
>> > who are blind.
>> >
>> > Regarding Kaplan, a fellow blind student recommended
>> > Kaplan, but it appears
>> > that taking the course when you are able to use
>> ZoomText
>> > and when you need
>> > to use JAWS are quite a bit different. The PDF files
>> > all seem to have
>> > formatting issues, even if they are tagged. I spoke
>> > with Freedom Scientific
>> > about the problem and their conclusion is that the
>> > files are not formatted
>> > to be accessible. They suggested scanning the PDF
>> > files using OpenBook and
>> > saving it to a Word file, but even that leaves all
>> sort of
>> > junk in the file
>> > because of their multi column structure and the books
>> being
>> > for the Premier
>> > classes instead of the Standard classes. Trying to
>> > keep up with a class
>> > when you have the wrong books and distracting junk
>> embedded
>> > in the test is a
>> > problem.
>> >
>> > It seems that a law firm could spend all of their time
>> just
>> > trying to level
>> > the playing field for blind people who are already in
>> or
>> > trying to get into
>> > the legal profession. Any ideas on how to get the
>> > playing field leveled and
>> > attorney fees paid are welcome.
>> >
>> >
>> > Tom
>> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Derek Wilson"
>> > <dwilson.lists at gmail.com>
>> > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 9:25 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> >
>> >
>> > Hi Tom,
>> >
>> > I also took an LSAT prep course with Kaplan, though
>> mine
>> > was online
>> > and self-paced. Kaplan provided me with PDF versions
>> > of the study
>> > materials as well. I had no difficulty accessing the
>> > PDF files with
>> > ZoomText, but I did have some trouble with what I
>> believe
>> > were
>> > flash-based tutorials and quizzes. They were much
>> > less accessible, as
>> > the text did not appear to be tagged so the reading
>> cursor
>> > jumbped
>> > around the screen at random.
>> >
>> > In my case, I needed to arrange for a reader through
>> > LSAC. Kaplan had
>> > nothing to do with this. I am a Canadian who took the
>> > LSAT in Tokyo
>> > last September and again last December.
>> >
>> > One word of caution, you would be wise to do your best
>> to
>> > prepare for
>> > the LSAT under the same conditions as you will write
>> on
>> > test day. I
>> > prepared online with a screen-reader, but was given
>> only 2
>> > options by
>> > LSAC in the way of accommodation: 1. a large-print
>> test
>> > book, or 2. a
>> > human reader. The nature of my disability makes large
>> print
>> > difficult
>> > for me to read, as it is an 18-point font. I am able
>> > to read only 14
>> > or 16-point font, and only with great difficulty for
>> short
>> > periods of
>> > time. To make a long story short, my test day score
>> > was 15 points
>> > lower than my timed practice test score. Other
>> reasons
>> > aside, the
>> > nature of my interaction with the test material was a
>> huge
>> > factor in
>> > my performance. As I was not in a position to pay a
>> > human reader to
>> > help me study, my options were limited. I don't what
>> > the implications
>> > are for you, but I wanted to bring this to your
>> attention.
>> >
>> > If you decide to go with a human reader, I strongly
>> urge
>> > you to meet
>> > with them in person prior to test day and assess
>> their
>> > reading skills
>> > at this level. They will need to be quick, clear,
>> > competent, and have
>> > the stamina to last for many hours. LSAC will pay for
>> > them to meet
>> > with you for up to 3 hours for the purposes of
>> screening
>> > and
>> > acquaintance, and you have the right of refusal if you
>> deem
>> > them unfit
>> > for the task.
>> >
>> > After my first time writing the LSAT in September of
>> last
>> > year, I
>> > asked LSAC point blank if I could take the test on a
>> > computer using
>> > Access Technology, and they flat out said "No, that is
>> not
>> > possible at
>> > this time." I asked if LSAC was planning to offer a
>> > computer-based
>> > alternative in the future, and the representative
>> repeated
>> > flatly "No,
>> > not at this time." I have since learned that two of
>> > my acquaintances
>> > in Canada, both of whom are visually impaired, were
>> able to
>> > write on
>> > test day with the use of a PC and Access Technology.
>> > I would not go
>> > so far as to say that LSAC is arbitrary in their
>> > accommodation
>> > decisions, since I do not have all of the facts, but
>> it is
>> > clear to me
>> > that the playing field is far from level.
>> >
>> > I sincerely hope that you find this information useful
>> in
>> > some way,
>> > and I wish you the best of luck on test day!
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Derek Wilson
>> > www.twitter.com/culturemate
>> > http://jp.linkedin.com/in/culturemate
>> >
>> > On 5/13/10, Tom Ladis <tom at tomladis.com>
>> > wrote:
>> > > I am pretty sure that it will all get worked out,
>> but
>> > the class has started
>> > > and I am falling behind. It took them a month to
>> > get me the PDF files just
>> > > 3 days before the class started. My fault for
>> > starting late and I have not
>> > > been able to find anyone at Kaplan that knows how
>> to
>> > deal with getting me
>> > > the materials in a JAWS friendly
>> > format. I was finally able to get
>> > > OpenBook to read the PDF this morning, but that
>> is not
>> > the greatest solution
>> > > either.
>> > >
>> > > Thanks for your thoughts,
>> > > Tom
>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>> > > From: "Rod Alcidonis, Esquire." <attorney at alcidonislaw.com>
>> > > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 10:32 AM
>> > > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Tom
>> > >
>> > > Kaplan will work with you. Just tell them what
>> you
>> > need and why. Kaplan has
>> > > demonstrated to me times and again that they are
>> > committed to complying with
>> > > the ADA. This was when I signed up with them for
>> the
>> > SAT, LSAT, and Bar
>> > > Prep. They will find a solution even it may not
>> be
>> > perfect. Have a
>> > > constructive dialog with them.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Rod Alcidonis, Attorney and Counselor at Law
>> > > Alcidonis Law Office, LLC
>> > > 6907B Rising Sun Ave., 1st Fl
>> > > Philadelphia, PA 19111
>> > > Tel: (215) 305-8085
>> > > Fax: (215) 525-0999
>> > > Attorney at alcidonislaw.com
>> > >
>> > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
>> > > This message and/or its attachment(s) is being
>> > sent by a lawyer and may
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>> and
>> > may be protected by
>> > > attorney client and work product privileges. If
>> you
>> > are not the intended
>> > > recipient, you are hereby notified that any
>> retention,
>> > dissemination,
>> > > reading, or copying of this communication is
>> strictly
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>> > >
>> > > If you have received this communication in
>> error,
>> > notify Attorney Alcidonis
>> > > at (215) 305-8085 or at Attorney at alcidonislaw.com,
>> > and permanently delete
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>> > > Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C.
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>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> > > From: "Tom Ladis" <tom at tomladis.com>
>> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 10:18 AM
>> > > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> > > Subject: [blindlaw] Kaplan LSAT Support
>> > >
>> > >> Hello All.
>> > >>
>> > >> I have started the Kaplan LSAT class and
>> requested
>> > the course material in
>> > >> a digital format. They sent the material on
>> > a CD-ROM in PDF files. Some
>> > >> of the files are HUGE, as in 30 megabytes,
>> and not
>> > manageable by JAWS.
>> > >>
>> > >> I got what I asked for, but it is not
>> > usable. Kaplan has not been able
>> > >> to provide anything besides the PDF files.
>> > >>
>> > >> Does anybody have the ability to save a 30
>> > megabyte ? PDF to a Word
>> > >> document?
>> > >>
>> > >> In addition, isn't Kaplan responsible for
>> > providing a reader and scribe
>> > >> for the practice tests?
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> Thanks,
>> > >> Tom
>> > >>
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>> > >
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