[blindlaw] Computer-related skills

Thu Jun 27 18:12:45 UTC 2013

I do the same except that I convert to text.
Russell, how does the  transfer of the table in and out of excel
effect its formatting?

On 6/27/13, Daniel K. Beitz <dbeitz at wiennergould.com> wrote:
> As to PDF documents, I simply convert them to word with Omni page.  You
> simply scroll down to the document in the file folder, find Omni page in
> the
> context menu, and then hit enter on the "convert to word" option.  It will
> convert a text PDF, or OCR and then convert an image PDF.  When done, Omni
> page simply places the converted document above the PDF, giving it the same
> name with a different file extension.
>
>
>
>
> Daniel K. Beitz
> Wienner & Gould, P.C.
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Russell J.
> Thomas
> Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 1:54 PM
> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> Two quick points:
>
> I have not seen anything on this thread about PDF documents. That is a
> challenge we all must face, and resolve as best we can.
>
> With regard to tables, my solution is to copy and paste the table into
> excel. I find it much easier to work with JAWS in excel than in a table.
> Once I finish working with the Excel file, I convert it back to word so
> that
> the ddocument goes back into a table format.
>
>
> Regards,
> RUSSELL J. THOMAS, JR.
> Principal Attorney
>
> Law Office of Russell J. Thomas, Jr.
> 4121 Westerly Place, Suite 101
> Newport Beach, California 92660
> T: 949-752-0101
> F: 949-257-4756
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Susan
> Kelly
> Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 10:32 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List; tim at timeldermusic.com
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Computer-related skills
>
> Another consideration will be if your firm / practice decides to use one of
> the electronic file management systems that seem to be the current fad.
> The
> one that my office (a governmental agency, so no wiggle room on using a
> different program on any level) is not accessible with JAWS or any other
> screen narrator, and the degree of screen magnification that I need to
> physically view things that are not accessible to JAWS is such that it is
> also not an option for using the system.  The compromise that we have
> worked
> out is that my files are mirrored in the Word file system that I created
> for
> myself long before.  My assistant and my secretary scan documents to the
> Word file for each client, and my assistant reads and makes audio files for
> all documents and disclosure that cannot be easily read (either sensibly or
> at all) by JAWS, such as handwritten police reports and court reports that
> are strangely formatted.
>
> This has worked for me, although it does take extra time.  The Word file
> that I set up for each client mimics what I would have traditionally done
> with a physical file, including subfolders for organization.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerard
> Sadlier
> Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:35 AM
> 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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