[blindLaw] Preparing for Law School

Sanho Steele-Louchart sanho817 at gmail.com
Wed May 20 16:16:10 UTC 2020 

Kelbie, 

I could, and mostly do, get by with my laptop, phone, and headphones. But having access to as much as possible is fantastic when I need to braille a brief, spatially organize a particular framework in Civil Procedure, etc. That braille labeling tape came in handy when we needed to braille the computer monitors beside each of the classroom doors. It's definitely excessive. But I can't think of anything I haven't used so far. 

Warmth, 
Sanho

 

> On May 20, 2020, at 8:20 AM, Kelby Carlson via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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>>>>>> mcast.net
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
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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
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> BlindLaw mailing list
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>> 
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