[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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