[blindlaw] Computer-related skills

Thu Jun 27 16:58:38 UTC 2013

I agree.  The Mac won't cut it in a firm.  Although windoweyes has some
advantages, Jaws is more reliable right now for most things.

Daniel K. Beitz
Wienner & Gould, P.C.
950 University Dr., Ste. 350
Rochester, MI  48307
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerard
Sadlier
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 12:35 PM
To: tim at timeldermusic.com; Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills

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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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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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