[blindLaw] Requesting accommodations for the bar

Wed Dec 24 10:22:44 UTC 2025

Hello, Cecilia,

Do you have thoughts as to which state yet?
Many jurisdictions allow transfers. Another thing to consider is states
with/without CLE (Continued Legal Education) requirements.

What are your assistive techs/accommodations?

The MPRE documentation helped, but jurisdictions set their own policies;
NCBE, for example, almost would not let me use a braillenote, though NY and
MI did.

 If helpful, I attached a sample accommodations personal statement and
grant (pdf and txt files).
I took the UBE (Covid version for NY) in October 2020 and Michigan in
February 2021. NY's accommodations request packet was more accessible than
most (form-fillable pdf); I think they also updated it since then.
After submitting your application, I recommend reaching out to Mark
Kaplowitz (or the accommodations person--it was he at the time).
You should also receive accommodations for the NYLE, including an
accessible copy of the law materials pdf.

I am happy to discuss accommodations and even bar prep; let me know if a
phonecall is helpful.

Sincerely,
Seif

-----
Seif Saqallah
(Mr.)
University of Michigan
Juris Doctor/
Masters in Middle Eastern and North African Studies
J.D/M.A Graduate | 2020

International Studies, Arabic Studies, and Judaic Studies;
Law, Justice, and Social Change
B.A | 2017

248-325-7091 | seifs at umich.edu

The information in this transmittal, including any attachments, is
confidential and may contain privileged information protected from
disclosure by law. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the
sender immediately by reply email, delete this communication, and destroy
all copies of the transmittal, including any attachments. Receipt of this
message is not intended to waive any applicable legal privilege.

On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM Derek Manners via BlindLaw <
blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Virginia was easy and used my MPRE and LSAT accommodations as a baseline
> However, I was required to take the test in Richmond at the bar’s offices.
> So to Syed’s point, every state is different. Also, congrats on finishing
> up law school! Happy to connect again if you have questions about anything.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Dec 13, 2025, at 12:07 PM, Syed Rizvi via BlindLaw <
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Regarding your second question first, apply as far in advance as
> possible to give yourself plenty of time dealing with dysfunctional
> bureaucracy. And as for using MPRE accommodations to qualify for
> accommodations on the bar, that depends on jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
> Even Universal Bar Exam states all administer the exam individually,
> meaning that they create their own state specific hurtles. In Texas, they
> granted all of my accommodations based upon my MRRE accommodations and that
> was enough of a contrast from Massachusetts that I flew down just to take
> the test. They also did a shockingly good job in administering my
> accommodations on the day of my exam.
> > Sent from my iPhone.
> >
> >> On Dec 13, 2025, at 10:25 AM, Cecilia Martinez via BlindLaw <
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all. I will be taking the bar exam in July. Not sure what
> jurisdiction yet. I would appreciate any advice on applying for
> accommodations. Did the same documentation that you used for the NPR you
> worked? How long in advance should I apply?
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
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New York State Board of Law Examiners
Diane F. Bosse, Chair Bryan R. Williams Robert S. McMillen E. Leo Milonas
Michael Colodner
CORPORATE PLAZA-BUILDING 3 254 WASHINGTON AVENUE EXTENSION ALBANY, N.Y. 12203-5195 518-453-5990 FAX 518-4525729 http://www.nybarexam.org Executive Director
[Redacted], 2020
Via E-mail [Name, Address, and Date Redacted.]
Re: Determination - REVISED Application for Accommodations
Dear [Redacted]:
As a threshold matter, since you have indicated that you are considering applying for the September 2020 New York State bar examination (rescheduled from July 2020) please note the following announcement on the Board of Law Examiners' website:
Our efforts to seat as many candidates as possible remain ongoing .However, given
current conditions in New York - including ongoing public health concerns, social distancing guidelines, and limitations on large gatherings - it is clear that our seating capacity for the September exam will be sharply limited, and therefore the Board likely will not be able to seat all applicants who wish to take the exam. As a result, the application process for the September exam will proceed on a rolling basis as space permits. From Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 12:00 A.M. through Friday, May 15 at 11:59 P.M., applications will be accepted from any J.D. or LL.M. candidate who is sitting for the bar examination for the first time and who has graduated (or will graduate in Spring 2020) from one of the fifteen law schools located in New York State...Given the constraints caused by the public health crisis, candidates are strongly encouraged to consider sitting for the UBE at a later date or in other jurisdictions that may be better positioned to accommodate test-takers.
After careful review of your Application for Test Accommodations for the February 2021 New York State bar examination (i.e. the UBE) and the June 2020 New York Law Exam (NYLE) the Board has agreed to grant, in part, your application.
Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)
You will receive the following reasonable accommodations on the UBE:
• Double time (100% extra) for each session of the examination. The examination will be held in accordance with the attached schedule. Please note that the order of your examination components will be MEE, MBE, and then MPT.
• Seating in a private room away from the general testing population with a proctor.
Page 2
• Board will provide candidate with MEE, MPT, and MBE on external USB flash drives in Microsoft Word format. Proctor will monitor use. Candidate will be required sign
Electronic MBE Use Agreement in advance of the exam.
• Permission to use candidate's laptop with JAWS for UBE. All notes and study materials must be removed from laptop prior to the exam. No pre-recorded macros may be used during the exam. Board will inspect laptop before and after exam.
• Permission to bring/use headphones and/or microphone for use with laptop.
• Candidate will submit answers to MEE and MPT via USB drive that Board staff will provide instead of ExamSoft. Candidate is responsible for saving essays onto the USB drive.
• Board will provide candidate with a scribe who will record candidate's answers to MBE questions on the scantron answer sheet.
• Permission to bring and use candidate's electronic braille reading and writing device for all parts of the UBE (MEE, MPT, and MBE). Candidate may bring and use a blank drive for use with braille device.
Candidate may use Microsoft Word's spell and grammar check while composing responses to MEE and MPT.
Your testing center will be determined at a subsequent date. You will receive a notice from the Board with your testing center and where to report.
These accommodations are awarded for this examination only. Should you request accommodations for a future examination, your request will be re-evaluated. Please note that the New York State bar examination now consists entirely of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Details are on our UBE webpage, located at www.nybarexam.org/UBE/UBE.html.
This letter relates only to your test accommodations. It does not confirm that you will be able to apply for the UBE in New York due to limitations on seating that may be imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also does not confirm that you are registered or otherwise eligible to sit for the bar examination. Candidates who fail to complete all registration and eligibility requirements that apply to them will not be permitted to sit for the bar examination, regardless of whether they have been awarded test accommodations.
You may use the allotted time in the manner set forth in the enclosed Schedule. All testing rooms are in close proximity to restrooms.
Your assigned seat number will be on your Seating Ticket which must be accessed on our website approximately two weeks prior to the examination. You will need your BOLE ID and date of birth to access your Seating Ticket. You must bring your Seating Ticket and a government issued photo ID with you to the examination.
The Board's Security Policy will be strictly enforced so you should thoroughly review it by
Page 3
visiting our website, located at www.nybarexam.org, to familiarize yourself with what may and may not be brought into the examination room. The Security Policy is periodically changed, so we advise you to carefully review it the day before the examination starts so that you are reviewing the most recent version. Notwithstanding the Security Policy, you may bring any additional items that are listed on this letter as accommodations for a disability. Any non- permitted item(s) brought to the exam site must be dropped off in the designated Personal Belongings area and left AT YOUR OWN RISK before you report to your exam room. Please allot enough time to be in your seat by your Report Time as the oral instructions and exam start time will not be delayed if you report late.
New York Law Exam (NYLE): June 11, 2020
You will receive the following reasonable accommodations on the NYLE given on the date set forth above:
• Double time (100% extra). Your exam will commence at 12:00PM ET and will end at
4:00PM ET. You will have a total of 4 hours to work on the NYLE.
• You will be taking the NYLE at https://www.nybarapply.org/NYLE/ instead of using
ExamSoft. Please monitor your time carefully. Any answers recorded on the website before the start time or after the end time set forth in this letter will not be counted in your final score. Do not expect the website to automatically close at the end of your alotted time.
These accommodations are awarded for the stated NYLE only. Should you request accommodations for a future administration of the NYLE, your request will be re-evaluated. In addition, this letter relates only to your test accommodations. Candidates must still timely complete the New York Law Course (NYLC) and timely register for the NYLE and follow all subsequent instructions, or else will not be eligible to take the examination. Please note: If you take the NYLE with these accommodations and fail, you must submit a re-application and any required supporting documentation by the applicable deadline for any subsequent NYLE, or else you will not receive testing accommodations.
The Board has denied your request for additional breaks, as your request for breaks does not appear to be based on your documented disability. Moreover, in comparing the supporting letter from [Name and Date Redacted] to the Schedule, it appears that all required prayer times can be observed before 8:30 AM, after 4:00 PM, or during the lunch break (12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM). Food and beverage may be consumed during the testing session under the Board's Security Policy.
The Board's Guidelines for documentation of disabilities may be found in the Handbook for Requesting Test Accommodations (http://www.nybarexam.org/Docs/NTAHandBook.pdf).
Page 4
Section 6000.7 (e) of the Rules of the State Board of Law Examiners, a copy of which is enclosed, provides for an appeal of the Board's decision. Should you decide to appeal the decision, it must be in the form of a verified petition, bearing your original signature and the original notarization of your signature. Faxing the appeal is not sufficient to take an appeal. The original appeal petition (and any accompanying documents) must be received in the Board's office by the deadline. In your petition you must swear that its contents are truthful and accurate to the best of your ability under penalty of perjury. Again, the petition must contain your original signature and original notarization of your signature. The appeal may not present any new diagnosis or disability that was not identified in your application. Should you decide to appeal this decision it must be received in the Board's office no later than May 28, 2020.
Should you timely appeal this decision, you do not have to return the enclosed Affidavit of Accommodations. If the appeal is granted in whole or in part, you will receive a revised Affidavit to return. If the appeal is denied, you will be given an opportunity to return the enclosed Affidavit with a new deadline.
If you choose to accept the accommodations awarded in this letter, please carefully review the enclosed Schedule and Affidavit of Accommodations. Sign the Affidavit before a notary public and return it to our office by May 28, 2020 (keep the Schedule and make a copy of the Affidavit for your records). You must return the original affidavit to our office by the stated deadline or you will be at risk of having the offered accommodations withdrawn and being removed from the accommodated testing site.
Please contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of any further assistance. Sincerely,
Mark D. Kaplowitz Senior Attorney
Enclosures (Synopsis, Board Rule 6000.7 [e])
SCHEDULE
for the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE)
Double time (100% extra) for the MEE and MPT Double time (100% extra) for the MBE for: [Redacted]
DATE	SESSION TIME	SESSION CONTENT	TEST TIME
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021	Seated By: 8:30AM 9:00AM-12:00PM Secure Lunch 1:00PM-4:00PM	MEE Questions 1-6 (all day)	3 hours Secure Lunch 3 hours
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021	Seated By: 8:30AM 9:00AM-12:00PM Secure Lunch 1:00PM-4:00PM	MBE AM (1-100) (all day)	3 hours Secure Lunch 3 hours
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021	Seated By: 8:30AM 9:00AM-12:00PM Secure Lunch 1:00PM-4:00PM	MBE PM (101-200) (all day)	3 hours Secure Lunch 3 hours
Friday, Feb. 26, 2021	Seated By: 8:30AM 9:00AM-12:00PM Secure Lunch 1:00PM-4:00PM	MPT 1 & 2 (all day)	3 hours Secure Lunch 3 hours
When to Arrive: You must be in your assigned seat no later than the “Seated By” time listed above (30 minutes prior to your scheduled session start time). The oral instructions will proceed whether you are present or not. Any time lost due to late arrival — including time spent setting up your laptop or completing required forms — will not be added to the test session.
Taking Breaks: You will not be given additional time for breaks. Any breaks you take during the test session will be on-the-clock. You must also remain in the secure testing area, and you may not discuss the exam with anyone, or access any prohibited items like notes or cell phones.
Lunch: Each day there will be a secure, proctored lunch break between the morning and afternoon sessions. Please review the above schedule carefully. You must bring your lunch with you as you will not be allowed to leave the secure exam site, even during the lunch break. During the lunch break, you may not discuss the exam with anyone or access any prohibited items like notes or cell phones. Microwaves and refrigerators are not available at the test site. You are permitted to bring a cooler or tote bag to transport your food and beverage items, but these must be stored in the Personal Belongings Area. If you wish to access your food and beverage items during the lunch break, a proctor will escort you.
Laptop Bags: Laptop candidates may bring their laptops only on the day(s) when they take the MEE and MPT. If you use a backpack or laptop bag to bring items to the examination, it must be stored in the Personal Belongings Area.
Restrooms: To maintain a secure testing site, a proctor will be placed inside each restroom.
STATE OF } AFFIDAVIT OF ACCOMMODATIONS
COUNTY OF	} ss:	Affidavit Instructions:
CITY OF	}	1. Sign the Affidavit in the presence of a notary. Keep a copy for your records. You
MAY fax a copy to 518-452-5729.
2. You MUST mail the original to the New York State Board of Law Examiners (Attn: Test Accommodations Coordinator).
[redacted], being duly sworn, deposes and says:
A. I agree to accept the following test accommodations on the February 2021 New York State bar examination:
• Double time (100% extra) for each session of the examination. The examination will be held in accordance with the attached schedule. Please note that the order of your examination components will be MEE, MBE, and then MPT.
• Seating in a private room away from the general testing population with a proctor.
• Board will provide candidate with MEE, MPT, and MBE on external USB flash drives in Microsoft Word format. Proctor will monitor use. Candidate will be required sign Electronic MBE Use Agreement in advance of the exam.
• Permission to use candidate's laptop with JAWS for UBE. All notes and study materials must be removed from laptop prior to the exam. No pre-recorded macros may be used during the exam. Board will inspect laptop before and after exam.
• Permission to bring/use headphones and/or microphone for use with laptop.
• Candidate will submit answers to MEE and MPT via USB drive that Board staff will provide instead of ExamSoft. Candidate is responsible for saving essays onto the USB drive.
• Board will provide candidate with a scribe who will record candidate's answers to MBE questions on the scantron answer sheet.
• Permission to bring and use candidate's electronic braille reading and writing device for all parts of the UBE (MEE, MPT, and MBE). Candidate may bring and use a blank drive for use with braille device.
Candidate may use Microsoft Word's spell and grammar check while composing responses to MEE and MPT.
I UNDERSTAND that I must be in my exam seat no later than 30 minutes prior to each test session, and that the
session start time will NOT be delayed if I arrive late; that the oral instructions will proceed as scheduled whether I
am present or not, even if there are no other candidates in the exam room; that any time lost due to late arrival —
including time spent setting up my laptop or completing required forms — will NOT be added to the test session;
and that if I arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of any session, I will NOT be admitted to that session or any
subsequent session.
I agree to accept the following test accommodation(s) for the June 2020 New York Law Exam (NYLE):
• Double time (100% extra). Your exam will commence at 12:00PM ET and will end at 4:00PM ET. You will have a total of 4 hours to work on the NYLE.
• You will be taking the NYLE at https://www.nybarapply.org/NYLE/ instead of using ExamSoft. Please monitor your time carefully. Any answers recorded on the website before the start time or after the end time set forth in this letter will not be counted in your final score. Do not expect the website to automatically close at the end of your alotted time.
B. I will receive a total of 6 hours of test time on the MEE, a total of 6 hours of test time for the two MPT items, and a total of 12 hours of test time on the MBE, for a grand total of 24 hours of test time for the New York State bar examination (i.e. UBE); I will receive a total of 4 hours of test time on the NYLE;
C
These accommodations are necessitated by my disability(ies);
[Redacted]
[Redacted]
From 8:00 AM on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, through 4:30 PM on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, 1 will not discuss th examination, its subject matter, questions or answers orally, in writing or electronically with any person, nor will seek, obtain or give information concerning the examination, its subject matter, questions or answers from or to an person or source, including but not limited to internet sites, other examination candidates, tutors, or bar review representatives;
E.
F.
G.
I will not use any items prohibited by the Board's Security Policy during the examination or secure (proctored) lunc breaks, except for any items expressly awarded as test accommodations;
1 understand that any violation of this agreement may result in the institution of fraud and dishonesty charges pursuan to Board Rule 6000,13; and
I have read and understand everything contained in my I >ctcrmination.
Sworn to before me this
Notary Public
Board Rule [22 NYCRR §] 6000.7
Test Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities
(e) Appeals. Any applicant whose application is denied in whole or in part may appeal the determination by filing a verified petition responding to the Board's stated reason(s) for denial. The petition must attest to the truth and accuracy of the statements made therein, be made under penalty of perjury and be notarized. The petition may be supported by a report from the applicant's examiner clarifying facts and identifying documentation, if any, which the Board allegedly overlooked or misapprehended. The appeal may not present any new diagnosis or disability that was not identified in the applicant's application. Original signed and notarized appeals must be received at the Board's office no later than 14 days from the date of the Board's determination. The Board shall decide such appeal and shall notify the applicant of its decision prior to the date of the examination for which the accommodations were requested.
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[Name, address, and Date Redacted.]
Accommodations Personal Statement
To whom it may concern:
My name is [redacted]; I have been completely blind almost my entire life. I have had no light perception since infancy (approximately [year redacted]) due to stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity caused by medical malpractice. This condition prevents me from reading or writing any printed material and otherwise interpreting anything that requires vision. As my condition is unchanging, all medical documentation continues to remain valid and accurate. Since the Bar is the most
important exam I have yet to take, I respectfully request the following accommodations,
historically established through precedent and documented throughout my life, to compensate for my visual deficit. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended (42 U.S.C.S. § 12101 et seq.), applicable regulations, and state case law, I respectfully request the following:
(1)	A Screen-readable Microsoft Word exam, readable by a computer with the screen-reader software Jaws 2020 or newer, to take the exam. This format should have headings to facilitate finding content and delineating between separate questions and sections.
(2)	Extended double time (up to and including +100%) to provide sufficient time to read, process, and answer the exam questions.
(3)	The use of a laptop computer (I can bring my own) equipped with the screen-reader Jaws 2020 or newer to take the exam.
(4)	The use of headphones (I can bring my own) to listen to the exam. This ensures accurate audio fidelity, minimizes most auditory errors, and decreases the need to constantly adjust the volume from the computer's speaker.
(5)	A private room in which to take the exam. This allows me to hear JAWS clearly and reduces distractions for both me and other test-takers, particularly when a scribe verbally transfers my answers to the scantron form.
(6)	The use of an electronic brailler, “Braillenote” (I can bring my own) on all parts (written and multiple-choice) of the exam, to convert, read, and answer the exam. The Braillenote, an accommodation affirmed, offered, and granted by many testing organizations, allows me to write and read my answers to the MPT and MEE questions—directly in braille—as I have been doing throughout my educational career. There is no substitute for being able to read one's answers oneself, in my case with my own hands; reading and writing my answers in braille on the Braillenote gives me this ability. It also minimizes the time I require to move between many windows and documents on the computer, keeping the exam and answers on separate platforms.
(7)	Similarly, the ability to electronically take notes (on the Braillenote) during the
multiple-choice parts of the examination. This substitutes for cited written notes, highlighting,
underlining, ETC. This allows me to verify my selected answers before dictating them to the
scribe. Dictating my notes to a scribe who would then repeat them to me is not an efficient or
feasible option.
(8)	The use of a blank flash drive (I can bring my own) to convert and transfer answers between computer and Braillenote. The Braillenote processes in its proprietary KWB format; consequently, I will need a medium by which to transfer the converted braille-to-text files to the computer and upload thereafter.
(9)	Additional time (not counted against or part of the extended testing time) to convert and format the exam and resulting answers into Braille/Text at the beginning and end of the exam. (Converting to other file types (e.g., txt) is sometimes necessary to remove or fix
formatting errors, and a few minutes are required to export from braille KWB to a text file.)
(10)	The use of a reader/scribe/amanuensis to complete the scantron sheet, as I cannot bubble in the answers without sighted assistance.
(11)	Waiver of the laptop secure software, as it is not screen-reader friendly and prevents me from accessing both answers and exam simultaneously.
(12)	Spellcheck and grammar check, including the ability to correct detected errors and verify those words that JAWS and braille do not accurately speak and convert.
(13)	Religious (Muslim) Prayer breaks for the five daily prayers; food and bathroom breaks for this multi-day exam (see attached letter).
Supporting my request, I have enclosed medical documentation and previously received accommodations, including those from the University of [Name Redacted], College Board (ACT, AP, and SAT), LSAC (LSAT), NCBE (MPRE), and primary scholastic education (school IEPs).
I thank you for your understanding.
Appreciatively yours, most sincerely, [Name and Date Redacted.]
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