[NFBV-Announce] Blind Bar Applicants in NY and DC Can Take Bar Exam Remotely

[National Federation of the Blind]

 		 [1]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BLIND BAR APPLICANTS IN NY AND DC CAN TAKE BAR EXAM REMOTELY

_NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND URGES OTHER STATE BARS AND EXAMINING
AUTHORITIES TO IMPLEMENT REMOTE EXAMS WITH ADA ACCOMMODATIONS_

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (OCTOBER 19, 2020): The National Federation of the
Blind, America's civil rights organization of the blind, commended bar
admission authorities in New York and the District of Columbia for
implementing accommodation procedures that are allowing blind bar
candidates to take their licensing examinations remotely, as non-disabled
candidates are being permitted to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, but
expressed concern that other jurisdictions are not following suit. The New
York and District of Columbia bar administrators had initially said they
would permit blind candidates to take the examination in accessible formats
and with technology accommodations, such as the use of text-to-speech
screen reader technology and Braille devices, only at an in-person location
with an on-site proctor. The National Federation of the Blind raised
objections to this plan on behalf of a blind candidate, Seif-Eldeen
Saqallah, citing relevant provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act, and the examining authorities quickly changed course. 

"The law requires--and common sense demands--that blind people and other
candidates with disabilities be allowed to take high-stakes licensure
examinations remotely during this time of pandemic if non-disabled
candidates are permitted to do so," said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the Blind. "We demand that bar-admissions
authorities currently not granting accommodations for remote testing, such
as the state bar in California, do so immediately. The National Federation
of the Blind will fight for the right of blind people to be treated equally
with respect to the bar examination and other tests that will determine
their educational and career opportunities, as we have throughout our
history." 

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at www.nfb.org [2]. 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen
 Director of Public Relations
 National Federation of the Blind
 (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
 (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
 cdanielsen at nfb.org 

https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18801&qid=4368978
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 		 National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | 410-659-9314 

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