[nabs-l] Interest in law

[David Andrews]

Well, first I would recommend talking to Scott Labarre.  Secondly, 
the blindlaw list is generally friendly, and helpful, and I would 
recommend subscribing.

Dave

At 05:40 PM 10/26/2008, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>Those of you who have known me for a long time will know that I've been a
>lot of places, academically as well as geographically speaking.  The whole
>time, I believe I have been building toward something--I haven't known
>what exactly.  I think I will offer myself the short answer to my question
>now, I should subscribe to the blind law list.  In the meantime, I'd like
>some opinions--and please don't be afraid to share yours.  You don't have
>to have known me for long to know that when I make up my mind about
>something, I'm certainly willing to share mine!  *grin*
>
>In order to get the kind of feedback I want, I probably need to provide
>the background that got me where I am now.  Sorry, it's a little long.
>
>For a time, I was a software developer.  Not a great one, perhaps, but I
>could write an algorithm.  I did, however, learn to work with technology
>extremely well, and I developed thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving
>skills.  I learned to pick apart problems, but that's not really what a
>"code monkey" does these days.  I didn't really enjoy the work that paid
>my rent as well as the very similar work that didn't.  Plus, I lacked the
>functional blindness skills and the social skills to succeed.
>
>When these facts came to light, I took a career direction evaluation, and
>chose one of the options far down on the list: Teacher.  I knew I wouldn't
>survive the social dynamics in education, so I began a study of Psychology
>since it is the science of explaining things I didn't understand in terms
>that I did.  Through the grace of God and some assistance from a few
>people in the right place at the right time, coupled with some experiences
>at the Colorado Center for the Blind, basically that worked.
>
>With my Psychology degree and a minor in Special Education, I'm now a
>student in a Special Educator program whose curricula courses focus on
>objective measurement, identifiable results, and reliable data.  My
>advisor and favorite professor has told me that she is convinced that I
>can be a fine special educator.  From her, this is high praise indeed and
>is not lightly offered.  She does think, however, that I have other gifts
>that would not be tapped to their potential in an elementary classroom,
>and I think she's right.
>
>More recently, I've learned of several cases where special education has
>gone wrong.  Horribly wrong.  The causes are many: Apathy, irritation,
>hostility, laziness, low expectations, and plain outright discrimination
>on the basis of a disability, and that's just a start.  And lest you think
>I'm talking about the schools here, I'm talking about teachers, parents,
>and administrators and at every level from early intervention through
>graduate school programs.  Most could be resolved by a good mediator or
>arbitrator.  Some cannot be, and you need a good litigator.
>
>I think a career connected to law is probably where this is going for me.
>Being a reasonably religious person, this seems right because I believe
>that God wastes nothing, and logically I can see that if I target
>education or disability law, all of my experience is directly relevant to
>my education, my experience, and my career.
>
>Not only that, I remember as a teen looking over the course offerings at
>places like MIT and being extremely excited just reading the titles.  I
>find similar excitement today looking over the courses relevant to the
>kinds of law related to disability, education, and possibly employment.
>It seems like this is right for me because it gives me the chance to
>educate the people who need it most (often teachers and parents) and to
>seek real justice for people who often times have a hard time finding an
>honest person who just wants to see the right thing happen.
>
>If you're not asleep yet and can think of particular individuals I might
>want to talk to, I'd love some suggestions.  I'd feel a little out of
>place on the blind law list at the moment given that all I know are the
>basics of the ADA, section 504, and IDEA that they teach teachers.
>
>I'm also curious what you, my fellow nabsters, think about this potential
>change in my education direction.  My student loan debt already scares the
>bat snot out of me, and it'll double or triple if I go to law school!
>
>I'd appreciate any input or advice.  I'd also like to know how a blind
>person manages to get materials in a timely manner, which law schools have
>been good to blind students, and which ones to avoid.  I'm in Oregon, and
>we have three law schools, but little ties me to Oregon except a beautiful
>woman I would expect to not see much for three years no matter where I go
>to school.  She's got her own graduate program to attend to for most of
>that time, and we have modern communication and travel at our disposal.
>
>Thanks for reading, and in advance for sharing your thoughts.  *smile*
>
>Joseph
>
>
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