[Greater-baltimore] Important hearing on rights of blind candidates for admission to the Maryland bar

[Danielsen, Chris]

Dear Fellow Federationists:
 
I know that as I write this, many of us are thinking primarily about the
upcoming national convention and our plans to attend. Let me briefly
divert your attention from that upcoming event, however, to another one
that will take place immediately after we return from Dallas. As most of
you know, the national Federation of the Blind and three individuals
brought suit against the National Conference of Bar Examiners, which is
failing to provide reasonable accommodations for blind individuals who
wish to enter the practice of law in Maryland. There will be a hearing
on this case on Tuesday, July 13, in Courtroom 5A, U.S. Courthouse, 101
W. Lombard Street, at 2:15 p.m.  The hearing could last until 6 p.m.  We
need a strong turnout of Federationists, dressed appropriately for court
(business attire) to attend this hearing to let the court know that the
outcome in this matter is important to all blind people in Maryland and
throughout the nation. Transportation will leave the national Center for
the Blind at noon on Tuesday, July 13; this will give us time to get to
the courthouse and for everyone to get through security. If you are  on
staff at the National Center for the Blind and obtain approval from your
supervisor, or you are a member of the Greater Baltimore chapter and
live in or can get into the city, please plan to attend this important
hearing.  please contact Kristian Kunke, (410) 659-9314, extension 2219,
kkunke at nfb.org, if you plan to attend. Please let Kristian know whether
you will be availing yourself of transportation provided by the Center
or whether you will make your own way to the courthouse. If you can get
to the courthouse on your own, please be advised that the hearing will
begin promptly at 2:15 p.m. and that you should allow yourself plenty of
time to get there and go through security. Arriving late is frowned upon
by the court; in fact it is likely that you will not be admitted if you
are not in the courtroom and seated at the time the hearing begins.
Please let Kristian know if you can attend no later than Wednesday, June
30, at 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me
using the information below. If you are receiving this message via the
Greater Baltimore chapter list, please do not reply to this message;
instead e-mail Kristian Kunke directly or give her or me a call. Note:
Please let Kristian know that you will attend even if you don't plan to
use the transportation from the Center.
 
Thanks in advance for your participation.
 
Sincerely:
 
Chris Danielsen, Chapter President
 
 
Christopher S. Danielsen 
Director of Public Relations 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells Street 
     at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: 410-659-9314, ext. 2330
Fax: 410-685-5653
Cell phone: 410-262-1281
Email: cdanielsen at nfb.org
www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/>