[blindLaw] Blind judges

[Elizabeth Rene]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if there exists anywhere in the US any effort to put together an association of blind judges?
i’ve heard through the Internet of blind judges presiding at various court levels throughout the country but haven’t found an effective way to communicate with any of them collegially.
I have served on my state’s Judicial conduct commission for several years now, and have just recently become a hearings judge for Washington‘s board of industrial insurance appeals. This statutory tribunal follows our superior court civil rules and rules of evidence and issues written opinions following the style of our court of appeals. We have jurisdiction over workers compensation, occupational safety violations, employer tax assessments, crime victims compensation, and a couple of other related matters. Our hearings are bench trials with a court reporter, conducted over zoom and by telephone during the pandemic but held in person under normal conditions. All appellate review, from the Superior Court to the Supreme Court, is based on the record created at our hearings. I love this work.
It would be so wonderful if one could turn to other blind judges for mutual support and advice as do the blind lawyers on this list.
Thanks for anything anyone knows.
Elizabeth M René 
Industrial Appeals Judge
Washington State Board of
Industrial Insurance Appeals

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