[blindlaw] Courtroom information technology for judges

[Elizabeth Rene]

Hello list mates,
I have just been invited to interview for the position of judge/magistrate pro tempore in the Seattle Municipal Court. This is the busiest Municipal Court in my state. I’m excited about this because I served the court as an assistant city prosecutor years ago.
Back in the day, I have a little hope of ever serving as an SMC judge pro tem because I didn’t expect it information system to be accessible to me. I’m taking the plunge now and hoping there’s better technology on offer. (I’ve prepared for pro tem service by taking CLEs presented by my state’s association of district and municipal court judges, getting onto the state-wide pro tem registry, serving on my state’s Commission on 
judicial conduct and court rules committee, and trying to stay current on criminal law & procedure and evidence. I’ve also been an ALJ and presided at character & fitness hearings for my bar association.)
My question to you all is, are there any blind judges out there who use electronic information technology in the courtroom? Has it been accessible to you? If not, how do you find out what you need to know in real time? How do you make entries were necessary. Have your clerks been helpful to you? 
Seattle municipal court calendars are heavy, with vigorous motion practice, jury trials, bench calendars, night court, and in-and out of custody arraignments. The SMC includes a mental health court, a drug court, a domestic violence court, and a veterans‘ court to provide enhanced services to these offender populations. There is some civil jurisdiction too. The magistrates under its supervision handle traffic infractions and civil municipal code violations that can involve complex fact situations and initial legal rulings. If any blind judges have any tips at all for me about anything to do with being a judge, I’d be very grateful to learn them.
Being on the State pro tem registry allows me to preside anywhere in Washington if the court needs assistance. So I can gain experience in tiny jurisdictions as well as in this major metropolis. If anyone knows a blind judge, either inside or outside of the NFB, please pass their name along.
Many thanks!
Elizabeth 



Elizabeth M René 
Attorney at Law 
WSBA #10710 
KCBA #21824
rene0373 at gmail.com