[blindLaw] Preparing for Law School

Wed May 20 17:32:11 UTC 2020

This is such great information.  Thank you, all of you.

I understand having a tech arsenal.  It would be highly irritating to
be unable to participate in a class properly because you don't have
the right tech.

As for a flow chart, well, I don't think I've used one of those since
middle school, and I'm not sure how I would render one on a note
taker.  I don't like taking notes in class on a laptop because I have
trouble listening to the lecture and listening to Jaws at the same
time.  And if I ever have to read out loud, there is no way I'm
reading after Jaws.  Lol That's quite the disaster.  One of you
mentioned modifying a flow chart with punctuation to represent what
item leads to the next.  Perhaps I will play with that method.  I've
used similar methods when taking music theory notes in undergrad.

I am a little lost at what the various books you mention, but I will
look them up and plan to do practice exams.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Julie

On 5/20/20, Sanho Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> For what it's worth, I have wired earbuds for my laptop, Airpods for my
> phone, and Aftershocks in the very rare instance that I need to learn a new
> area using GPS and want to be able to hear my screen reader. I was gifted
> those before I bought the Airpods.
>
> Perhaps I should be more self-conscious about what I've found useful. All of
> my sighted peers have a laptop, iPad, phone, display, printer, and hardcopy
> notetaking supplies for different occasions. But they could all get by with
> less. That is true.
>
> Sanho
>
>
>> On May 20, 2020, at 12:07 PM, Kelby Carlson via BlindLaw
>> <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I confess I'm useless with a slate, so that would have done me no good.
>> I'm not sure why I'd need that many headphones either. Besides outlining,
>> one helpful review strategy I've found is finding something with a lot of
>> assessment questions. Some of the black letter books have these. Learning
>> bite-sized chunks of material and being able to summarize them, and
>> building a knowledge base that way, is extremely effective. In addition to
>> past exams from professors, I highly recommend exam pro books for every
>> subject have very helpful practice tests. Themis, the bar preparation
>> course I took, used this method and it was invaluable; I think it's easily
>> transferrable to law school classes. If you want a taste of how it works,
>> they offer their Constitutional Law and Professional Responsibility
>> courses for free here: http://themisbar.com/
>>
>>
>>> On May 20, 2020, at 12:26 PM, Singh, Nandini via BlindLaw
>>> <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> I was fairly lean with tech during law school: Braille note taker,
>>> laptop with JAWS, and a smart phone with Talks (not even an iPhone
>>> because I was and am still a bit of a luddite). I do use more tech for
>>> work though.
>>>
>>> Outlining was interesting. We actually had a continually updated outline
>>> bank that collected outlines that past generations of law students had
>>> made and then archived for all the major black letter classes. Many
>>> people downloaded a good outline and then revised it based on professor
>>> or after perusing horn books, e.g. black letter capsules that summarize
>>> the important concepts. Examples and Explanations in addition to Glannon
>>> were some of the popular ones. Your law library should have both. I
>>> became friendly with library staff, who were always willing to scan in
>>> the horn books for me.
>>>
>>> Eventually, I liked to reduce and condense entire outlines into the
>>> proverbial one-page outline. This mostly involved words and semi colons
>>> to convey the idea of a flow chart. This was done on my Braille Note. The
>>> one-pagers were great for open book exams.
>>>
>>> Regarding finals, professors also put up past exams, so you could always
>>> look at those to get a sense for the type of issue spotters and/or short
>>> answer questions that they liked to pose. When I was a 1L, I liked to
>>> complete past exams with other people, but I think this was more a
>>> function that we were all terrified of failing than preferring the study
>>> group model, which died out by 1L spring.
>>>
>>> I should say that everyone is different when it comes to understanding
>>> how laws, regs, and/or rules relate to each other. Regardless of Braille,
>>> Word, Excel, you need to review repeatedly, which is a basic but still
>>> effective learning technique. Keep in mind that some classes  have more
>>> of this than others, so you may feel like you need something like a flow
>>> chart for evidence or civ pro but not so much for corporations.
>>>
>>> The type of class and professor makes a difference, which is one of my
>>> major themes today I guess. For better or worse, many of us selected
>>> courses based on who was teaching it, and we asked our classmates how
>>> they liked that professor's style. This can give you ideas on what you
>>> will need to do to gear up for class. I am a very theoretical thinker, so
>>> I gravitated to professors who were similar. I never had to read aloud a
>>> provision in the Constitution, but I made sure that I had case briefs for
>>> all the precedents we had been assigned. A case brief is an annotated
>>> capsule of the case, i.e. facts, issue, posture (occasionally helpful),
>>> holding (central ruling), rationale. During class, I jotted down a few
>>> notes to supplement the case brief.
>>>
>>>
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/michael.mcgl
>>>>>>>>> ashon%40co
>>>>>>>>> mcast.net
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/philosopher25%40gmail.
>>>>>>>>> com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40g
>>>>>>>>> mail.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gm
>>>>>>> ail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Julie A. McGinnity
>>>>>> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
>>>>>> Blind Performing Arts Division
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmai
>>>>>> l.com
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> BlindLaw:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/kelbycarlson%40g
>>>> mail.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> BlindLaw:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> BlindLaw mailing list
>>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> BlindLaw:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/kelbycarlson%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> BlindLaw mailing list
>> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> BlindLaw:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
Blind Performing Arts Division