[blindLaw] LSAT writing, digital interface not accessible

Sat Oct 26 14:15:05 UTC 2019

This is a good idea in general. It is always worth being as detailed as possible for every accommodation you can think of, but for the reason for each as well. Additionally, the earlier you can get your application in, the better.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 26, 2019, at 9:54 AM, Maura Kutnyak via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> What a mess this is. Thankfully, I did not have to do the writing directly after the other five sections. The way it is structured now, individuals have up to a year to complete the writing section. So, I struggled and cried through that section at home without a proctor, other than the broken digital one, to see.
> 
> I feel inclined to emphasize, for any individuals preparing to take the LSAT, be sure to request the use of a conventional wordprocessing program, word, TextEdit, notepad, whatever you like,. This is of course in reference to the writing section. All of my accommodations applied for the writing section just as they did for the other five sections. That said, I did not realize I had to specifically request the use of my own wordprocessing program. It’s not enough to have use of your own computer.  Embed that request in your initial accommodations form.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Maura Kutnyak 
> 716-563-9882
> 
>> On Oct 26, 2019, at 9:31 AM, Laura Wolk via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I’m so incredibly sorry that you went through this. And I’m very glad the writing section is the last one, because I can’t imagine what that would have done to the rest of my ability to take the test. What I recommend is that you take full advantage of the additional information and addendum sections. Upload a short writing sample. Explain L sax historical failure to accommodate and repeated lawsuits and settlements that have been brought against it. It will be fine. Welcome to fighting for your rights in the profession of law!
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Oct 26, 2019, at 9:11 AM, kelby carlson via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I am not sure you can legally negotiate accommodations this way, such that a past test result can be changed. Usually I request specifically that I am able to write in MS Word or another accessible program for exactly this reason. The PA bar was very accommodating, but I didn't end up needing to make this request of the LSAC because at that time they were not using this software.
>>> 
>>> Typically, though, law schools care considerably more about your actual score than the writing test (which is not used to calculate the score).
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Oct 25, 2019, at 11:29 PM, Maura via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Kelby,
>>>> The explanation as to the problem I encountered is complicated.  Fundamentally, it comes down to incompatibility between voice over, I was using my mac laptop, and the secure proctoring software which was imposed by the LSAC.  I could not: identify the insertion point, spellcheck, hear words or characters as they were typed, identify if I was back in the edit field after revisiting the prompt on the left of my screen or verify if I was entering text as I typed.  
>>>> 
>>>> As of, July, the writing portion is being administered separately from the other five sections.  I took the exam in late September.    I am now facing some kind of dialectic process where in I negotiate ( exactly what I am not sure.)  I know some text was entered.  I also know that what I wrote was not representative of what I could produce if using an accessible  program.  I am considering asking to take the section again proctored by an LSAC minion at the original test location.  It would be unacceptable for the document as it is to be submitted as a standard of my writing ability.  
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> .  
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On Oct 25, 2019, at 5:14 PM, kelby carlson via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I took it back in 2014, and was allowed to use my own computer with a screen reader, if I recall correctly. What was the problem with the interface?
>>>>> 
>>>>> As hard as it is to hear, if you have accommodation troubles with the LSAC—and you will, because they are a terrible organization with respect to accessibility—it is probably worth just re-taking the test once you know about the problem areas. If you take it in December, you can still send the scores to the school's you're applying to.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Oct 25, 2019, at 1:36 PM, Maura Kutnyak via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Greetings,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I am currently attempting to suppress my rage so that I might compose a coherent message.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Long and short, I am wondering if anyone else on the list has completed the writing portion of the LSAT since the recent changes took place.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> My experience was awful. I am now facing a process, the steps of which I do not yet know. Ultimately, I have to find out if I can retake that section of the test or, somehow ensure that it does not get passed along to schools to which I am applying. The interface was disgustingly inaccessible. 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> My phone number is below my email address is, maurakutnyak at gmail.com 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> At least I am hoping to commiserate, at best I am wondering if anyone can tell me how they found their way out of this disappointing circumstance.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Maura Kutnyak 
>>>>>> 716-563-9882
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>>>>> 
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