[nfb-talk] Cathryn Bonnette, A Blind Woman, Becomes Lawyer After Winning Injuction Against Bar Examiners

[David Andrews]

>
>WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- A blind woman was sworn in to the DC bar Monday 
>to become a lawyer,  marking the end of an 8 year battle with bar 
>examiners in two states to allow her and other blind candidates to 
>use adaptive software of their choosing to take the test.
>
>Even so, the National Conference of Bar Examiners continues to 
>resist allowing blind candidates to take the bar exam on the terms 
>of the blind individual.
>
>Cathryn Bonnette has sued the NCBE in California and in DC during 
>her quest to take the bar exam with the help of adaptive software 
>that is used by hundreds of thousands of blind people 
>nationwide.  The software translates text in electronic documents 
>into speech that the blind user can hear and respond to.
>
>Judges in 3 states and the District have issued injunctions in favor 
>of students, but the NCBE argues that the judges have overstepped 
>their authority because the organization offers other accommodations 
>for blind candidates, such as in-person oral and braille exams.
>
>In a court brief, the NCBE cites "legitimate cost, security and 
>other programmatic concerns."
>
>Bonnette says the NCBE should stop resisting. "You graduate law 
>school. You've done well, and all of a sudden to take that licensing 
>exam you can't get the software you need."
>
>After winning an injunction in DC, Bonnette passed the bar exam in 
>July using the translational software she is comfortable with.
>
>After her swearing in as a lawyer, Bonnette said she plans to 
>advocate for other disabled people in battles for access.
>
>Law students in Maryland have so far been unable to force the NCBE 
>to allow the software on that state's bar exam.
>
>"They're forcing us to fight a state-by-state battle Bonnette complained.
>
>News story here: 
>http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/178240/158/Blind-Woman-Admitted-To-DC-Bar-Despite-Hurdles-Thrown-By-Examiners
>
>___________________________________________________
>
>Michael Richardson, MPA
>Assistant Director/Counseling Services Coordinator
>
>**********************************************************
>University of Washington
>Disability Resources for Students
>448 Schmitz Hall
>Box 355839
>Seattle, WA 98195-5839
>Ph: 206.543.8924 TTY: 206.543.8925 Fax: 206.616.8379
>mike67 at uw.edu
>**********************************************************