[blindLaw] Preparing for Law School

Wed May 20 13:19:43 UTC 2020

I don't know of one "right" way to do an outline. I know a lot of people who used flowcharts, but never figured out a way to do so; it's nice to hear there is some way to do it in Word, though.

That seems like a slightly excessive tech collection. When I was in school I had a laptop, BrailleNote, and iPhone with just one pair of headphones. But whatever works for anybody. I've actually given up on a notetaker at this point and just use a Braille display. I wouldn't see a need for two separate iDevices.

> On May 18, 2020, at 4:42 PM, Sanho Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Julie,
> 
> For outlines, I used the syllabus of each class and the names of each
> chapter to create a structure, then filled it in using the key rules,
> elements, decision trees, and cases.
> 
> Something I caution people to do is to carefully consider whether you
> should be writing down the elements or a decision tree/flow chart for
> each aspect of the law. Get very comfortable with flow charts as soon
> as possible. Braille is ideal, but you can do them in Word or Excel,
> too.
> 
> I carry a laptop with JAWS and K1000, a Focus 40 braille display, a
> full-page slate, a four-line slate, an interpoint index card slate, a
> one-line labeling slate, an iPad, an iPhone, wired earbuds, Apple
> Airpod Pros, Aftershocks, USB drives, chargers, paper, index cards,
> binder rings and a hole punch for those index cards. My computer and
> iDevices are all loaded with various OCR programs and file-management
> tools, including Voice Dream Reader.
> 
> At home, I have a braille embosser, a flatbed scanner, a second laptop
> with JAWS, and a Perkins brailler.
> 
> I strongly recommend having access to a powerful computer and an OCR
> program like K1000 or something similar. I also recommend getting to
> know the people who can help at your law school such as IT people and
> the deans.
> 
> There's more, but this is the tech side of things.
> 
> Sanho
> 
> 
>> On 5/18/20, Julie McGinnity via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi everyone
>> 
>> Thank you so much for the advice!
>> 
>> I truly appreciate it.  And thank you for the Federal Rules, Sanho.
>> 
>> I don't know the first thing about cross referencing the various
>> rules.  I suppose the best way to begin would be to just familiarize
>> myself with the appropriate websites?
>> 
>> How did you guys tackle outlines?  I was simply planning to keep them
>> on my Braille Note and copy them to a flash drive for safe keeping and
>> so I can read through them with Jaws as well.
>> 
>> Thanks again,
>> 
>> Julie
>> 
>> 
>>> On 5/18/20, Vaughn Brown via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Thank you Sanho for sharing! That was quite thoughtful of you.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 5/17/20, Sanho Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>> Julie,
>>>> 
>>>> Going off of what Bruce said, one thing I'd love to share with you is
>>>> my searchable copy of the Rules of Civil Procedure. My professor would
>>>> ask questions like, "Mr. Steele-Louchart, will you please list the
>>>> provisions of Rule 5B2b-ii?"
>>>> 
>>>> I had to be able to get there quickly, and using headings and standard
>>>> reading controls simply didn't cut it. My version has the numbers,
>>>> letters, and roman numerals of the rule all listed to the left of each
>>>> subpart. If you're looking for Rule 42B2, just open the find dialogue
>>>> and literally type in 42B2 before hitting enter. It'll take you right
>>>> there.
>>>> 
>>>> I'll attach the accommodated version in case it can go through the
>>>> listserve.
>>>> 
>>>> Sanho
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 5/17/20, philosopher25--- via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> I suggest bookmarking the online versions of federal rules of civil
>>>>> procedure and other such rule books such as criminal law and
>>>>> professional
>>>>> rules of conduct. Start familiarizing yourself with ways to cross
>>>>> reference
>>>>> rules against rules within the same text. Blue booking and legal
>>>>> research
>>>>> also have some challenges that you'll want to discuss with other blind
>>>>> people familiar with them. You'll want to have a system that you can
>>>>> answer
>>>>> questions in class. At some later date a system to do oral arguments. I
>>>>> found a good study group was helpful, but not everyone does. Lastly,
>>>>> outlining is something of a challenge you'll want to work out asap.
>>>>> Have
>>>>> handy a few phone numbers of blind people with experience with law
>>>>> school
>>>>> and the study tools you use, like braille or speech.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Best,
>>>>> Bruce
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of MIKE
>>>>> MCGLASHON
>>>>> via
>>>>> BlindLaw
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2020 9:25 PM
>>>>> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List' <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Cc: MIKE MCGLASHON <michael.mcglashon at comcast.net>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Preparing for Law School
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ms Julie:
>>>>> 
>>>>> You can call me and we can discuss this if you wish; Please seel below;
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Please advise as you like.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Mike M.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Mike mcglashon
>>>>> Email: Michael.mcglashon at comcast.net
>>>>> Ph: 618 783 9331
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie
>>>>> McGinnity
>>>>> via BlindLaw
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2020 8:24 PM
>>>>> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: [blindLaw] Preparing for Law School
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi everyone,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I hope all of you are staying safe and sane in these crazy times.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I am starting my first year of law school in the fall, and I'm
>>>>> wondering
>>>>> what, if anything, I should do to prepare.  I am already working with
>>>>> rehab
>>>>> here to get me a note taker, and I will be starting the paper work for
>>>>> disability services soon.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Are there any tech tips I should know or programs with which I should
>>>>> familiarize myself at this time?  I am already proficient with Word and
>>>>> Outlook.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Is there any piece of technology that you couldn't live without in law
>>>>> school?  I'll have my laptop of course.
>>>>> 
>>>>> My university is inviting us to take a law school prep course.  I have
>>>>> no
>>>>> clue if it's accessible, but has anyone taken something like this?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sorry for all the questions.  I have an arts background, and I'm aware
>>>>> that
>>>>> law school is unlike anything I've ever done academically.
>>>>> Despite my nerves, I am invested in doing the absolute best I can and
>>>>> diving
>>>>> into learning all the things.  So, any advice would be welcome.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend!
>>>>> 
>>>>> --
>>>>> Julie A. McGinnity
>>>>> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the Blind
>>>>> Performing Arts Division
>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Julie A. McGinnity
>> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
>> Blind Performing Arts Division
>> 
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> 
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