[blindLaw] NCBE Revoked Accommodation--Assistance/information Requested Please!

Singh, Nandini NSingh at cov.com
Thu Aug 29 18:27:50 UTC 2019


In the alternative, maybe request the ability to have a single Word document available to take notes, knowing that NCBE would want a copy of this notes document following the conclusion of the exam.

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Seif-Eldeen Saqallah via BlindLaw
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2019 2:22 PM
To: Cathryn Bonnette <cathryn.bonnette17 at gmail.com>
Cc: Seif-Eldeen Saqallah <seifs at umich.edu>; Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] NCBE Revoked Accommodation--Assistance/information Requested Please!

[EXTERNAL]

Thank you for your response.
(I remember reading your case; I commend you Sighted testtakers have the option to take notes on there tests and to write down their answers before transferring them to the scantronsheet; I am also requesting that capability.
(One can crossreference MPRE questions and use them to answer other questions; jot down memorized information; etc.) They did not give me that computer option; they told me I can dictate things to the scribe who then can repeat them back to me as notes--this is a clunky process.
They first granted the braillenote and now are revoking it.
Should they deny this reconsideration, I might consider asking, again, for notetaking on the computer or, as advised by another, to take the MPRE after the bar, as not to jeopardize those future accommodations.

Sincerely,
Seif

On 8/29/19, Cathryn Bonnette <cathryn.bonnette17 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello-
>
> I share your experience of reasonable accommodation being denied for 
> security reasons- in my case it was Jaws screen reading software, 
> subsequently approved after a court battle.
>
> Might the denial of your requested accommodation be due, at least 
> partially, to a lack of understanding of why the extra device is 
> needed? I'm not understanding how you are reading the exam, yet not 
> able to write using the computer. (?) Also, as I recall, the test is 
> multiple choice only. If so, it is unclear why an extra device is needed for taking notes.
> As usual, they are doubting that Internet capability is turned off 
> etc. IF past tests show Internet access as a security risk, their 
> concern is reasonable. If not, it could be argued.
>
> C Bonnette
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Seif-Eldeen Saqallah via BlindLaw
> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 11:50 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Seif-Eldeen Saqallah <seifs at umich.edu>
> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] NCBE Revoked 
> Accommodation--Assistance/information
> Requested Please!
>
> Thank you for your responses.
> Sorry--I am the student;
> it is, specifically,  a braillenote;
> I would not mind using it when connected to the computer to display 
> what I type on the screen, but NCBE is not allowing it altogether.
>
> Sincerely,
> Seif
>
> On 8/28/19, Denise Avant via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> The other question I have is whether the student would be amenable to 
>> using a Braille Display which can be connected to a computer and used 
>> in conjunction with a screen reader?
>>
>>
>> Denise R. Avant, Esq.
>> President,
>> National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
>> 773-991-8050
>> Live the life you want.
>>
>> For more information about NFBI,
>> Go to www.nfbofillinois.org
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Laura Wolk 
>> via BlindLaw
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 10:02 AM
>> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Laura Wolk <laura.wolk at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] NCBE Revoked
>> Accommodation--Assistance/information
>> Requested Please!
>>
>> What is your relationship to the student? Or are you the student?
>>
>> The person is not requesting to use "an electronic Braille writer," 
>> he or she is requesting the use of a Braille notetaker. Those are two 
>> very different pieces of equipment, which probably contributed to the 
>> confusion.
>>
>> If the student is open to using a manual old school Perkins Brailler, 
>> which has been approved in the past, let me know and I'd happily ship 
>> one to be used on the exam.
>>
>> Laura
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Aug 28, 2019, at 10:34 AM, Seif-Eldeen Saqallah via BlindLaw 
>>> <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello all,
>>>
>>> I hope you are well.
>>>
>>> This is for a Law school student who is applying for accommodations 
>>> on the MPRE. I fortunately found your contact information, and am 
>>> wondering if you are able to advise or assist in contesting an NCBE 
>>> accommodations decision, where NCBE first approved and now revoked 
>>> the use of an electronic braillewriter (allegedly on security
>>> grounds) to take and record answers and notes. (See below message).
>>>
>>> I have been contacting others, but with little results yet.
>>> I want to respond as quickly as possible; they say time is short, 
>>> yet they take several days to respond, reducing the time available 
>>> for response or reconsideration.
>>>
>>> Understanding that this is not legal advice, Any assistance, 
>>> thoughts, experiences, or advice is greatly appreciated.
>>> Please respond at your earliest convenience.
>>> Thank you, most sincerely.
>>>
>>> ...
>>> Previously, NCBE granted me the use of an electronic braillewriter 
>>> to write and read my answers and notes. Upon further inquiry 
>>> stemming from needing a flashdrive to transfer those notes into its 
>>> possession (an accommodation I requested during my initial 
>>> application), they asked me for more information about the braillewriter's capabilities.
>>> I was forthcoming with that information, stating that it has 
>>> bluetooth and internet capabilities, but that they are nonfunctional 
>>> and turned off, in any case, during the exam.
>>> After several days, they revoked my braillewriter accommodation, 
>>> meaning that I have no way of taking or reading notes during my 
>>> test, or even recording and reviewing my answers before dictating 
>>> them to the scribe who fills out the scantron sheet.
>>>
>>> As part of my accommodations application, I had sent them my 
>>> documentation stating that I have been using an electronic 
>>> braillewriter for tests as far back as high school; that I use it 
>>> for undergrad, graduate, and law classes and exams; that I used it 
>>> on multiple standerdized tests, including the LSAT; and that it is 
>>> part of my university-granted testing accommodations.
>>>
>>> They first did not approve my use of an electronic braillwriter; I 
>>> appealed and then they (reluctantly?) approved it.
>>> Now, they wish to revoke it for alleged security reasons. NCBE is 
>>> providing a computer through which to read the exam (which has more 
>>> connectivity than the braillewriter), but no way for me to take 
>>> notes or record my answers before telling them to the scribe who 
>>> then marks them.
>>> (I pasted there email below for context.)
>>>
>>> I will write them another email, but how do you advise that I proceed?
>>>
>>> I also see this as establishing precedent for my accommodations 
>>> granted on the bar, which I do not think I can take without the 
>>> braillewriter, as that is how I read and write (the computer is for 
>>> reading the exam).
>>>
>>> Please advise--I do not know how next to proceed.
>>> Any assistance you have is most and greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> NCBE email:
>>>
>>> ...
>>>
>>> Thank you for sending the information about your specific model of 
>>> Braillewriter -  HumaanWare Braillenote mpower; keysoft v9.5; 
>>> windows CE6.0. As you mentioned in your message, this model of 
>>> Braillewriter is designed to connect to the internet, has Bluetooth 
>>> capability, as well as a SD card slot and ports.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, for security reasons, we cannot permit this 
>>> particular model of Braillewriter to be brought into the MPRE.  An 
>>> electronic Braillewriter with the ability to connect to the 
>>> internet, and store or transmit information to other devices cannot 
>>> be permitted in the examination room, even if those features are 
>>> thought to be turned off or possibly nonfunctional.
>>>
>>> As noted on the NCBE website at
>>> https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/E8DtCjROyXcO3Z5hWTd3U?domain=ncbex.
>>> o
>>> rg<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Es07CkROzYcwroWcVoMgV?domain=nc
>>> b
>>> e
>>> x.org>,
>>> NCBE is
>>> committed to providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to 
>>> examinees with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for 
>>> accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities 
>>> Act Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA). NCBE will make reasonable 
>>> modifications to policies, practices, and procedures that might 
>>> otherwise prevent individuals with disabilities from taking the MPRE 
>>> in an accessible place or manner, provided such modifications do not 
>>> result in a fundamental alteration to the examination, impose an 
>>> undue burden, or jeopardize examination security.
>>>
>>> If you have an alternative idea of how you may be accommodated that 
>>> will not pose a test security risk, we would be happy to consider it.
>>> Please note that a different model of Braillewriter without features 
>>> that allow for internet connectivity or that does not have 
>>> capability to transmit to other devices or store information could be considered.
>>> For instance, in the past NCBE has approved use of a Perkins 
>>> Braillewriter and Braille paper, and collected the notes from the 
>>> examinee at the end of the examination.
>>>
>>> To be considered for an alternative accommodation to your HumaanWare 
>>> Braillenote mpower; keysoft v9.5; windows CE6.0, please complete an 
>>> Applicant Reconsideration Request Form available on the NCBE website 
>>> at 
>>> https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/E8DtCjROyXcO3Z5hWTd3U?domain=ncbex.org<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Es07CkROzYcwroWcVoMgV?domain=ncbex.org>.
>>> On the form,
>>> please state the name of the device or item you would like us to 
>>> consider, along with the model number if applicable.
>>>
>>> The deadline for NCBE to receive your request for an alternative 
>>> accommodation (instead of your electronic Braillewriter) for the 
>>> November 2019 MPRE is the late registration deadline which is 11:59 
>>> p.m. Eastern Time on September 26, 2019. This is a ‘received by’
>>> deadline and not a postmark deadline; delivery to the post office or 
>>> a courier service by the deadline does not constitute receipt by NCBE.
>>> Likewise, unsuccessful electronic transmission by the deadline does 
>>> not constitute receipt by NCBE. There are no exceptions to missing 
>>> the deadline and NCBE will not review or consider any forms or 
>>> documentation received after the deadline. Applicants whose requests 
>>> are received fewer than 15 business days before the deadline run the 
>>> risk of not having time to avail themselves of the interactive 
>>> process of requesting reconsideration of NCBE’s decision.
>>>
>>> Please note that your other approved accommodations remain in place 
>>> for the November 2019 MPRE, and are listed below:
>>>
>>> •100% extended testing time (extra 120 minutes)
>>>
>>> • Supervised breaks - One 15 minute rest break
>>>
>>> • Private room
>>>
>>> • Auxiliary aid - Laptop equipped with JAWS (NCBE provided)
>>>
>>> • Scribe provided by NCBE - dictate answers to scribe to mark answer 
>>> sheet
>>>
>>> • Other - NCBE will provide headphones to use with JAWS
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> MPRE Test Accommodation Services
>>> National Conference of Bar Examiners
>>> 302 S. Bedford Street, Madison, WI 53703-3622
>>> 608-316-3070  |  Fax: 608-316-3119  | 
>>> mpre.ada at ncbex.org<mailto:mpre.ada at ncbex.org>
>>> Website:
>>> https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/E8DtCjROyXcO3Z5hWTd3U?domain=ncbex.
>>> o
>>> rg<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Es07CkROzYcwroWcVoMgV?domain=nc
>>> b
>>> e
>>> x.org>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> il.com
>>
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>
>
> --
> Seif Saqallah
> University of Michigan
> Juris Doctor/
> Masters in Middle Eastern and North African Studies J.D/M.A Candidate 
> |
> 2021
>
> University of Michigan
> International studies, Arabic Studies, and Judaic Studies; Law, 
> Justice, and Social Change B.A | 2017
>
> 248-325-7091
> seifs at umich.edu
>
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> 17%40gmail.com
>
>


--
Seif Saqallah
University of Michigan
Juris Doctor/
Masters in Middle Eastern and North African Studies J.D/M.A Candidate | 2021

University of Michigan
International studies, Arabic Studies, and Judaic Studies; Law, Justice, and Social Change B.A | 2017

248-325-7091
seifs at umich.edu

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