There is a blind Solicitor on a disability access committee I am also part
of.   I have asked him for a contact name and number.   I will forward this
when it arrives.

Stephen L


----- Original Message -----
From: "Information Services" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2001 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: blind law student - some thoughts


> You may find this organisation helpful
>
> Group for Solicitors with Disabilities
> c/o Judith McDermott, The Law Society,
> 114 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL.
> Tel: 020 7320 5793.
>
> Martin Sissons
> Services Director
> ___________________________________________
> Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
> Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW
> Direct line: 020 7450 0634 (voice)
> Main line: 020 7450 0620 (voice/text) Fax: 020 7450 0650
> Information Service: 0800 328 5050 (voice), 0800 068 2422 (text),
> [log in to unmask]
> Monday-Friday 1:30 to 4:30
> Website: www.skill.org.uk
>
> Skill is a registered charity no. 801971 and a company limited by
guarantee
> no. 2397897
>
> Promoting equality in education, training and employment for disabled
> people.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Seven-of-nine [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Friday, August 31, 2001 1:33 AM
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      Re: blind law student - some thoughts
> >
> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> > -----------------------
> > Sender:       "Discussion list for disabled students and their support
> > staff."
> >               <[log in to unmask]>
> > Poster:       Seven-of-nine <[log in to unmask]>
> > Subject:      Re: blind law student - some thoughts
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > -----
> >
> > There is an organisation for blind/visually impaired solicitors, and one
> > for
> > barristers. I saw it on the internet once. I do not have the address but

> > could find it out later if you want. There is a HUGE amount of reading
> > required in law, more than most subjects. Also, the books are updated
> > every
> > year as statute changes every year, so one cannot put stuff on tape and
> > save
> > it for students in following years. I doubt very much that the RNIB
would
> > be
> > of any help.
> >
> > Anyway, my point is, if these people have done it before, they should be
> > able to assist in finding materials for your student. They would be the
> > experts on the subject.
> >
> > Esme
> >
> > On Thu, 30 Aug 2001 16:05:55 +0100, Discussion list for disabled
students
> > and their support staff. wrote:
> >
> > >  I just thought I'd drop a note about adapting books like this.
> > >
> > >  I adapt similar books at A-level, mostly history at the moment. These
> > >  are usually 500 - 1000 pages. The print is often small, which reduces
> > >  the accuracy. Anyway, I scan such books, proof read in the ocr
software
> > >  for big scanning errors, then do a  detailed proof reading (and any
> > >  adaptations needed) in a good word processor. An average 500 page
text
> > >  book, no graphics and only a few tables, takes about 3 days to adapt
> > >  into braille. Be aware that to scan a big text book properly often
> > means
> > >  breaking the spine rendering the book a pile of paper when you have
> > >  finished.
> > >
> > >  However, it sounds like you have no one dedicated to this task. In
this
> > >  case I have a friend doing politics, history and philosophy (no pics
in
> > >  the philosophy books!), and she is doing well (though of course it is
> > >  very hard work) with Kurweil 1000.
> > >
> > >  If at all possible, (not in the first year I know), get details of
the
> > >  books required at least a year in advance, and get it done
> > commercially,
> > >  or track down a copy. Despite the fact that scanners and tapes do
give
> > >  access to the text, a braille copy is MUCH easier to access, and
allows
> > >  the student more time to get on with their work.
> > >
> > >  I know this is not the fault of any of you out there working in
> > >  universities, the fault lies above you - but I cannot see why
> > >  Universities are not required by law to have a complete and skilled
> > >  braille unit within them. Ho hum.
> > >
> > >  I wish I could do the work for you, - but I've got 'European History'
> > to
> > >  do next - 1051 pages in 8 point, and then 'Spot's First Walk', then
> > >  'Tyke Tyler'... sorry. I hate the stories of these students who
cannot
> > >  get the books for their courses easily adapted.
> > >
> > >  ------------------
> > >  >Subject: Access to reading materials for blind law student
> > >  >
> > >  >
> > >  >I should be interested to hear from anyone who has successfully
> > overcome
> > the
> > >  >problem of access to the voluminous reading materials required by
law
> > >  >students for a student who is blind.  Most material is in book form,
> > some of
> > >  >which are 500 pages.  The time taken to read this on to tape, even
> > though
> > >  >using RNIB reading service and student support workers (who are
> > expensive)
> > >  >means that most of it will not be available in time for the
student's
> > needs.
> > >  >The RNIB tape library may have some material on tape, I realise.
Are
> > there
> > >  >any other speedy and not too expensive solutions that anyone has
come
> > >  >across?  My e mail address is below if you wish to contact me
> > off-list.
> > >  >I look forward to hearing from you,
> > >  >
> > >
> > >  -----------
> > >
> > >  --
> > >  Adrian Farnsworth
> > >  City Resource Officer for the Sight Impaired.
> > >  Derby
> > >
> > >  England
> > >  [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________________
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