[blindlaw] Disabled Students Bill of Rights-THIRD AND FINAL NOTICE

[Patrick Brendan O'Reilly]

My name is Brendan O'Reilly and I'm a third-year law student at the
University of New Mexico. I serve my class as third-year representative to
the faculty and this summer was appointed by my ABA Student Division 15th
Circuit Governor, Jason Redd, to serve as Lt. Governor in charge of
Resolutions and Bylaws.
 
I mentioned to Gov. Redd some of the difficulties I and other visually
impaired and blind law students and attorneys face in applying to law
school, getting materials for law school, and in preparing for and taking
the bar exam. Specifically, I mentioned to him: 1) the difficulty I had in
acquiring book lists in a timely enough fashion to request digital format
books from publisers; 2) the difficulty I had in acquiring books in a timely
fashion from my school's accessibility services office; 3) LSAT and Bar
examinees' problems in using a reader for the exams with whom the examinee
is comfortabe; and 4) some other classroom accessibility issues.
 
Gov. Redd and I agree that the best means to address these issues is to
draft a BILL OF RIGHTS applicable to all students and lawyers that addresses
each student's right, regardless of disability status, to have open, timely,
and equal access to any and all amenities and service afforded all other
students.
 
Gov. Redd has suggested that such a resolution could be presented to a
meeting of four student division circuits in October, who could then certify
the resolution/Bill of Rights to the ABA House of Delegates.
 
I may be a bit fuzzy on this process, but all the same, I solicit your input
as to what you'd like to see in the Bill of Rights. Please feel free to
throw in the kitchen sink as I'd rather be over inclusive than under
inclusive.

I haven't receive any input on this and will drop the issue altogether if I
don't hear from anybody. If you have any ideas, input, or suggestions for
matters necessary to a disabled students bill of rights, then please forward
me your comments.
 
Thank you,
Brendan O'Reilly
15th Circuit Lt. Governor-Resolutions and Bylaws
817 La Veta NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-255-1597
oreillpa at law.unm.edu