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),
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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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