[blindLaw] Moving around the courtroom

[Paul Harpur]

In law school I had time in the courtroom to navigate around it.  It is a reasonable accommodation.  When navigating around the courtoorm at school, I'd suggest you take someone with you to help.
Also hire a speech coach and practice at speaking club or in front of those who can give critical perspectives on how you hold your body, arms and the like.  You want your own style, but you want to know how others do it and interpret what you do.  

Professor Paul Harpur OAM   
BBus (HRm), LLB (Hons) LLM, PhD, FHEA, solicitor of the High Court of Australia (non-practicing), PLY
The University of Queensland Law School
(TEQSA PRV12080)  

Associate, Harvard Law School Project on Disability
Australian Research Council Future Fellow
Member of the Higher Education Standards Panel 

“Universities train the disability leaders of tomorrow, employ the disability leaders of today, and produce research and innovation which can make the world more inclusive”.  Paul Harpur, ‘Universities as Disability Champions of Change’ TEDx.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie A. Orozco via BlindLaw
Sent: Friday, 4 October 2024 12:04 AM
To: 'Blind Law Mailing List' <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie A. Orozco <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Moving around the courtroom

Hi Ceci,

I don't have any real-world courtroom experience yet, but I'll share what worked for me in law school. I used to try and spend time in the room before I had to present. I used my cane to find everything: witness stand, defense and prosecution table, and even where the judge sits. In the smaller rooms, I learned the layout well enough that I could navigate without my cane. I practiced walking to and from the witness stand and finding where I would go to give opening and closing statements. 

In the bigger courtrooms, I kept my cane on me if I knew I would have to approach the witness. Otherwise, I kept it at the counsel table where I was sitting. The only reason I hesitated to bring my cane with me was that I had my Braille display, and I wanted that to read my notes when questioning witnesses. I didn't enjoy juggling a cane and a Braille display. 

I would just start by asking your professors to give you some time in the rooms where you will be doing trial work. Get to know the room, and then decide for yourself when and how using your cane works  for you. The key is that you remain comfortable and confident at all times.

Hope this helps,

Julie


-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cecilia Martinez via BlindLaw
Sent: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 9:16 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: ccmlhe at gmail.com
Subject: [blindLaw] Moving around the courtroom

Hi. Does anyone have any advice for moving around the courtroom during trials? How to approach witnesses, find the podium, move around the room as you’re speaking, and do this successfully? Do you use your cane? If so, what do you do with it when you’re at the podium? What about if you choose not to use a podium when giving your opening statement for example? Where do you put your cane? Do you have it in your hand? Any advice would be great.

Thank you


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