[blindLaw] Accommodations When Visiting a Law Library Open to the Public

Aimee Harwood awildheir at gmail.com
Tue Aug 27 19:51:56 UTC 2019 

Hi James,

Thank you. That seems like a very wise and reasonable approach. They have had a bit of a history with not really wanting to engage in the interactive process. When I was a student there simple accommodations such as priority/early registration were refused as was my request for the pdf versions of my books to be provided in DAISY, HTML, or Word. They were not all that interested in contemplating the barriers I encountered. They just assumed they were excuses and I simply was not capable. This was despite 2 professors and a psychologist going to bat for me when I filed for reconsideration of my academic dismissal. They also very conveniently made major changes to their academic policy the same time I started over after my leave of absence. Prior to this, a student could be on academic probation the second semester of the 1L year if they had a certain gpa. I don't have the exact number handy but it was rather low. They did away with that provision and students were dismissed without a chance to pull themselves back up. They also raised the minimum gpa significantly. Again, I don't have the exact number at hand, but it was a significant jump. So, unfortunately, I do anticipate a  good deal of resistance.

Aimee

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 27, 2019, at 2:50 PM, James T. Fetter via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Possibly, assuming that the print materials are available on Westlaw and Lexis. I suppose they could also offer you a "qualified reader," although that would be far more burdensome for them and obviously far less efficient for you. You may just have to approach them with the suggestion of using Westlaw and Lexis and explain why the alternatives would be unworkable and see what they say. I have a feeling you will get some resistance, since it is very likely that the library doesn't have the unilateral ability to allow members of the public to use these services. There may also be significant differences between the materials available on Westlaw and Lexis and those available in print in the library. Perhaps I would request Westlaw/Lexis access but say that, in the alternative, you would need the print materials you found in your research to be given to you in electronic format and possibly some research assistance, depending on how easy it is to find what you're looking for without being able to read any part of the print materials. If they say no to both suggestions without providing an alternative, then they're not engaging in the interactive process, which is a problem for them.
> 
> 
>> On 8/27/2019 2:12 PM, Aimee Harwood via BlindLaw wrote:
>> Thanks James. That's what I was thinking.
>> 
>> My issue then is how do I, independently, make use of the print material available? Would Lexis and westlaw be an accommodation for the print materials?
>> 
>> Aimee
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 27, 2019, at 2:04 PM, James T. Fetter via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Probably, because you would be requesting a "fundamental alteration" to their services available to the public and possibly asking them to breach their agreement with Westlaw and Lexis, if there is one, to restrict it to law students. However, you can request that Jaws or NVDA be installed on the public access computers. If they fight you on that, then you have every right to make a lot of noise.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 8/27/2019 1:48 PM, Aimee Harwood via BlindLaw wrote:
>>>> Ok, guys. I visited the law library web site and looked at their policies. They only give access to free resources for the general public.
>>>> 
>>>> This is exactly what it says.
>>>> "Commercial databases are for use by students, faculty and staff of Widener Law Commonwealth.
>>>> Off-campus access to the library databases is restricted to law school students, faculty and staff. Login requires the barcode number on the back of your Widener ID card.
>>>> 
>>>>  Patrons are permitted to use designated computers to search the library catalog and access free resources. Assistance is provided as needed. Library personnel can assist with research but will not conduct research on behalf of patrons. "
>>>> 
>>>> Does this indicate I cannot request access to lexis and westlaw as an accommodation?
>>>> 
>>>> Aimee
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 21, 2019, at 9:29 PM, Daniel McBride via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> George:
>>>>> 
>>>>> At the time I met with the Assistant County Administrator, they spoke with Westlaw, Lexus and JAWS. To safeguard all interested parties' licensing agreements, putting JAWS on their computer was their solution.
>>>>> 
>>>>> It was fine with me as the County Law Library is now accessible to all blind residents as long as they know how to use JAWS. And I'm sure that's more than what the other 253 counties in Texas are doing.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Dan
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: BlindLaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aimee Harwood via BlindLaw
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 7:25 PM
>>>>> To: Blind Law Mailing List
>>>>> Cc: Aimee Harwood
>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Accommodations When Visiting a Law Library Open to the Public
>>>>> 
>>>>> This would be a wonderful solution. I would be happy to bring my own computer. I am concerned they will refuse me access to lexis and westlaw though. If they do refuse me access to lexis and westlaw, would that count? Would I then be able to file against them.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Aimee
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Aug 21, 2019, at 2:55 PM, Jorge Paez via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Daniel:
>>>>>> Why would they need to install JAWS?
>>>>>> Couldn???t you just bring your own computer and get set up with their network either through Ethernet or Wifi?
>>>>>> I???m guessing you???d use your library information to authenticate with their Lexis or WestLaw licenses?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Aug 21, 2019, at 10:27 AM, Daniel McBride via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of Broward College. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless are expecting the information and you recognize the sender.
>>>>>>> ________________________________
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Aimee:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The law library I use is the Tarrant County Law Library, operated by the
>>>>>>> County and funded by taxpayers money, which might make a difference.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> In any event, some years back, I approached the Assistant County
>>>>>>> Administrator about my access to the library materials. He asked what could
>>>>>>> be done to provide access to persons who are blind and we discussed JAWS.
>>>>>>> The County purchased JAWS and installed same on their public access computer
>>>>>>> in the front of the library. With this, I have access to every research
>>>>>>> platform imaginable, including Lexus and Westlaw.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sometimes, a conversation with the appropriate authority solves this type of
>>>>>>> issue. Sometimes not. The worst they can do is say no.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Daniel McBride
>>>>>>> Fort Worth
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: BlindLaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aimee
>>>>>>> Harwood via BlindLaw
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 11:02 PM
>>>>>>> To: BlindLaw
>>>>>>> Cc: Aimee Harwood
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindLaw] Accommodations When Visiting a Law Library Open to the
>>>>>>> Public
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hi Everyone,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I'm really not sure why nobody has responded to this. I'm politely asking
>>>>>>> for your advise. Surely someone here can offer a suggestion or two.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I'm resending this email as I need to do a good bit of legal research very
>>>>>>> soon. I have requested assistance from this list  for the below concerns. I
>>>>>>> expect difficulties at the location I must utilize to conduct this research.
>>>>>>> Can you guys please read and advise on the below information. I want to be
>>>>>>> fully prepared to respond appropriately when I face the expected resistance
>>>>>>> for accommodations. If there are additional details needed to effectively
>>>>>>> answer my questions, I will be glad to provide for clarification. I really
>>>>>>> do need your assistance and most certainly appreciate any thoughts and or
>>>>>>> suggestions.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I have a few questions about (1) access at law libraries open to the public,
>>>>>>> (2) possible accommodations, and (3) if denied accommodations filing an OCR
>>>>>>> complaint that possibly includes prior issues I experienced there as a
>>>>>>> student.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> (1) Has anybody had experience visiting a law library and receiving
>>>>>>> accommodations  to permit them to do independant legal research? I need to
>>>>>>> visit a law library to do some legal research. The closest one is the school
>>>>>>> I attended and had so much problems with regarding accommodations. Before I
>>>>>>> go, I would like to know my rights for accessing content at the library as a
>>>>>>> member of the public.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> (2) What accommodations can I  request? Can I request a computer with JAWS
>>>>>>> and access to lexis and westlaw?  I have sent them info on Aira since I was
>>>>>>> dismissed hoping they would utilize it if they ever had another blind
>>>>>>> student in the future. Could I ask for them to provide Aira access? I do not
>>>>>>> have a paid Aira subscription and cannot afford one at the moment. So that
>>>>>>> avenue will only be helpful if they are a site access.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> (3) If I do not get any of the assistance you recommend, can I file an OCR
>>>>>>> complaint for this incident? Is it possible to relate it back to the issues
>>>>>>> I had as a student?
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I greatly appreciate any and all advice in this matter as I have been very
>>>>>>> hesitent to do the research but it really needs to be done. Most everything
>>>>>>> was a fight with them. I have been very apprehensive to approach them with
>>>>>>> this request.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Aimee
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>>>>>> 
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