[blindlaw] Computer-related skills

Gerard Sadlier gerard.sadlier at gmail.com
Thu Jun 27 16:34:41 UTC 2013


I agree.

You need to focus on advanced features of word, like tables -
something I still have trouble with.

Bare in mind that you will not always be able to dictate the fomrate
of documents which you need to work on.

Transactional lawyers are very focused on the appearance of their
docs, as well as content, so this is important too.

On 6/26/13, Tim Elder <tim at timeldermusic.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------
>>
>> Hirschler Fleischer, A Professional Corporation Confidentiality Note:
>> This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and may be protected
>> by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware
>> that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this e-mail or
>> any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in
>> error, please notify us immediately by returning it to the sender and
>> delete this copy from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.
>>
>> Circular 230 Notice:  Pursuant
>> to Treasury Department Circular 230, tax advice contained in this
>> communication and any attachments are not intended to be used, and
>> cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be
>> imposed under the Internal Revenue Code, nor may any such tax advice
>> be used to promote, market or recommend to any person any transaction
>> or matter that is the subject of this communication and any attachments.
>>
>> -----------------------------
>>
>> -----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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindlaw mailing list
>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindlaw:
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/rfarber%40j
>> w.com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindlaw mailing list
>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindlaw:
>>
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/amatney%40hf-law.
>> com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindlaw mailing list
>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindlaw:
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/awebb2168%4
>> 0gmail
>> .com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindlaw mailing list
>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindlaw:
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/amarjain%40
>> amarja
>> in.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindlaw mailing list
>> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindlaw:
>> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/rahul.bajaj
>> 1038%40gmail.com
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindlaw mailing list
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindlaw:
> http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/gerard.sadlier%40gmail.com
>




More information about the BlindLaw mailing list