[blindlaw] Computer-related skills
Tim Elder
tim at timeldermusic.com
Wed Jun 26 21:29:10 UTC 2013
My personal opinion as someone who has worked at a big law AM 100 firm, a
small nonprofit firm and a small 25-attorney private firm is that JAWS is
still the best screen reader of choice. Voiceover is a great screen reader,
but unfortunately OSX is not the operating system you will be using for at
least the next 5 years.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rahul Bajaj [mailto:rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 1:24 AM
To: amarjain at amarjain.com; Blind Law Mailing List
Cc: Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
Hi all,
Thank you so much for your wonderful responses..
I will definitely try to improve my efficiency in all these areas..
I use VoiceOver on my Mac. So I do know how to use apple Mail and Calendar
which, I believe, essentially are used to perform the same tasks as
Outlook..
I will, however, have to focus on effectively using track changes and red
lining documents...
I can use Powerpoint and Excel to some extent, but I will still try to learn
techniques for using them more efficaciously...
I have another different, but related, question: Do law firms allow you
to use any screen reader of your choice, or are you required to use a
specific screen reader?.
If so, which screen reader would that generally be?.
I just don't want to end up spending all my time and energy in learning how
to use a screen reader effectively only to learn later that I won't be able
to use that screen reader in the office.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 26, 2013, at 7:18 AM, "Amar Jain" <amarjain at amarjain.com> wrote:
> Certainly, the practice of using track changes and red lining
> documents is being extensively used by transactional lawyers over here
> in India too. And in good firms, you have a specific person assigned
> who takes care of shaping the document in the firm's standard style
> (which is decided by the knowledge management), before it is being sent
outside the firm.
>
> By and large, most of the legal databases are usable with screen
> readers, so also are the internal solutions used by firms. As others
> said, comfort in using any kind of web application, including the ones
> which are designed in Java, should help you in using the databases
> efficiently. Familiarize yourself with screen reader specific
> commands, such as in Jaws, you have the option of skim reading,
> flexible web, and few others depending the way you like to use your screen
reader, which can save a lot of time and effort.
>
> Most of the documents come in PDF, and a large portion of which comes
> with text, so there is no problem as far as reading of documents is
> concerned. At times, you may have a little complexed designed
> documents (ignoring the accessibility standards), which may make text
> reading difficult, but that depends on the kind of document, and
> whether you can make those small changes to the document, which may
> get out of that situation. Highlighting and commenting in PDF is also
important to learn.
>
> Last but not least, a fair use of powerpoint and basic use of excel
> graphs is important, although that depends on your practice area. But
> in general if it anyhow relates to finance, then at times you may need to
use graphs.
> Powerpoint is surely used for presentations and stuff. And oh yeah,
> don't forget to learn Microsoft outlook properly, as that is another
> application extensively used by us not only for emails, but also for
> callender, appointments, etc.
>
> Regards,
> Amar Jain.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Andrew Webb
> Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 2:48 AM
> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> Two points come to mind for me:
>
> 1. I don't know if this is common practice where you are, but in US
> law offices it is very common for attorneys to submit drafts of briefs
> and memos for other attorneys to review, edit, and submit comments and
suggestions.
> For documents created in MS Word at least, redlining and track changes
> are the usual techniques. These can be a bit cumbersome via a screen
> reader, but they can still be used, and you will want to be sure you
> know how if this is a technique that your office colleagues rely on.
>
> 2. If you haven't already, develop a technique that works for you in
> order to mark and quickly reference important blocks of text as you
> review literature, statutes, case law, etc. It can make all the
> difference in keeping you organized and efficient. I know that you
> can use JAWS and Kurzweil in order to create and organize bookmarks
> within text, though others on the list may have found other measures that
work even better.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Regards,
> Andrew Webb
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Angela Matney
> Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 4:05 PM
> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> I would also focus on maximizing your efficiency with your particular
> screen reader and a web browser. I use JAWS, which has many keyboard
> shortcuts for Internet Explorer. For example, I can press "x" or
> "shift-x" to move to the next or previous checkbox, respectively.
> These keystrokes will be invaluable when you are required to access
> legal databases online. Even transactional lawyers must conduct
> research, and being able to efficiently navigate webpages is
> essential. I suppose this is really one specific application of the
excellent general advice Randy gave you.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Angie
>
>
>
>
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Farber, Randy
> Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 4:54 PM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> Rahul -
>
> 1. Work on becoming a touch typist. You will need to focus on
> discussions and other matters, while you are typing.
>
> 2. Learn shortcuts for Windows, Word, Excel and whatever other
systems
> you will be using.
>
> These two tasks will keep you busy for quite a while. Both of them
> are ongoing tasks, but you need to focus on them.
>
> Randy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rahul
> Bajaj
> Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 3:42 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> Hi all,
>
> I hope you all are doing well.
> I am going to have a few sessions with an assistive technology expert
> in the coming days.
> I am a technophobe. I can only perform very basic functions like
> using the internet, reading books, etc on my computer.
> I intend to become a transactional lawyer after completing my education.
> So, what computer-related skills should I focus on?
> I do not want my limited knowledge of computers to act as an
> impediment during my internships and in my career in general.
> So, please give me some specific tips which would help me to work
> more efficiently.
> Your help would be greatly valued.
>
> Best,
> Rahul
>
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