[blindlaw] Concerning the LSAT:

Tue Jun 21 20:18:22 UTC 2011

Hi all,

I am responding to the LSAT issue a little late, but I do think some clarity of the argument is in order.

The law suit says that it is impossible for a blind person to "take" the LSAT and therefore cannot get into law school.  This is not true as I and many others who are completely blind have taken the LSAT.  Was it easy, nope, were the accommodations what I requested, Nope, but that is a separate issue from the exam itself.

I believe the LSAT is a valued exam, and that dealing with the accommodations given for the exam are the core of the issue at hand.

But, I did not write the complaint nor will I say that a person should not be able to bring their concerns before the court.

I do have some questions.

First the plaintiff said they applied to three law schools, and that they were "top tier".  Well, what score did the plaintiff get on their LSAT? Was it close, within a point or two?  How did the plaintiff do on the questions that are not the puzzles?  Much of the exam is perfectly understandable by a blind person.  Perhaps there is another reason why they were not accepted.  Isn't the reasons for a lack of admission closed to enquiry?

Secondly why only three law schools? When I applied I applied to my school and others.  I was accepted into my school of choice on a provisional program and upon completion of that program gained full admittance.  Did the plaintiff receive an offer to enter the school under such a program? Did the plaintiff make it known to the school that they had the desire to apply?  When I applied I made sure they knew my name, and even sat in on a class or two and met with students, professors, and other staff so that when my application hit their desk, I am sure I was remembered.  However, given all this it was very hard for me and countless others to get into law school.  The selection committees look at the whole person so in the words of one professor, "There has to be something that says to us, you belong in the profession of law."  What did the rest of this person's package look like?

So, In my humble opinion, the test itself isn't bad and most likely prevents people from entering a program that they are ill-equipped to enter.  I am not saying that in this issue that is what happened, that is for the court to rule upon.  I am saying that placing all of the blame at the feet of the NCBE or the LSAC, or the ABA isn't very fair either.

With respect,

Robert D. Dittman
Student Attorney
St. Mary's University, Center for Legal and Social Justice (Civil Clinic)
2507 N.W. 36th Street
San Antonio, TX  78228-3918
Phone: (210) 431-5760  fax: (210) 431-5700
Email: rdittman at mail.stmarytx.edu

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 3:11 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Concerning the LSAT:

I suspect Stephanie's case will be heard by the supreme court of these United States, and she will prevail! Beth, Maybe you should consider becoming a lawyer, because their many other lawyers who've overcame discrimination, and are practicing law Today! The least you can do Beth, is Ask some one on this list what prerecs you'd have to take, then take them, then mabe by the time you're ready to inter law school, the LSAT will be accessible to us as blind people! RJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Concerning the LSAT:

> I'm not trying to discourage, but the fact and reality is that the 
> LSAT is what it is.  It's worse than having to do quant comps.  
> Remember those things on the SAT?  The only difference is that having 
> accommodations on this test is flagged as though it had inappropriate material on it.
> Beth
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
> On Jun 19, 2011, at 9:18 AM, "RJ Sandefur" 
> <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Beth, You should not discorage him from taking the LSAT!
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 9:16 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Concerning the LSAT:
>>
>>
>>> Hi, Michael.
>>> Read the NPR story on the LSAT student applicant who couldn't get 
>>> into law school.  You might want to give this LSAT stuff a second 
>>> look before you take it, and be sure the Canadian Bar accepts 
>>> accommodated tests without a red flag.
>>> Good luck
>>> Beth Taurasi
>>> Sent from my iPod
>>>
>>> On Jun 18, 2011, at 6:50 PM, Michael McKay <mgmckay1963 at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Greetings! all:
>>>>
>>>> My name is Michael McKay. I live in canada, and am blind. I look 
>>>> forword to participating in this discussion group as much as I am 
>>>> able, and also contributing as well. I have applied to the 
>>>> University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law, at Ludlow Hall on UNB 
>>>> Fredericton New Brunswick's Campus. I was informed by the admission 
>>>> office that there is an enterence exam called an LSAT, that one 
>>>> does online.  I at this present time do not have access to a Credit 
>>>> Card, so I am wondering if there is another way to pay the cost of 
>>>> the exam. I need to have all the pre-enterence stuff completed no 
>>>> later then the end of March 2012.
>>>>
>>>> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>>
>>>> Respectfully!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> *Michael G. McKay
>>>> *
>>>> *70 Grove Crescent,*
>>>> *Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.*
>>>> *Canada. P6B 5V4*
>>>> E-Mail: mgmckay1963 at gmail.com
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>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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