[blindlaw] law career

[Gregory I. Vendeland]

Matthew,

I just completed law school.  The first year was rocky because it was a 
learning process for both me and the school.  Continuous connunication is 
the key.  Many of the Publishers were reluctant to assist with electronic 
versions of their text books, but this was overcome with persistence.  With 
the help of a member of the administration verifying I was enrolled in 
school and that the books in question were needed, I never had too much 
difficulty in receiving needed materials.

I know that this might not be popular, but I find that it's helpful to do 
the groundwork so to speak.  When faced with opposition, I did not 
immediately use "The Law" and demand results.  Rather, I took the approach 
of asking for help in creating a solution.  As soon as the publisher became 
aware that I had in fact already purchased the book (keep receipts!), they 
were much more comfortable transimitting electronic materials either via pdf 
attachment in email or via a cd-rom through the regular mail.

Be a partner in solving problems.  Going with this approach, I was never 
prevented from getting materials I needed.

Greg Vendeland
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "matthew" <mattgp at optonline.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] law career


> Hi Joe,
> Thanks for your advice, and for providing the corresponding
> links in your post.
> My questions pertaining to college primarily relate to the
> provision of accessable materials in a preferred medium.  I
> mensioned the "verbal rejections" I received as a point of
> reference to shed light on a problem that still persists.
> In high school, I have been deprived of braille books in a
> few situations due to the prison system employed by the
> state for this work.  I have also managed without adaptive
> equipment at the time of need.  While I have faced these
> injustices and with hard work, found a way, I always reserve
> concerns for others without my determination.
> Under my present circumstance, I dread these realities
> reoccurring in college where support, in the high school
> sense, is not as readily available.  The state has only
> "promised" to provide math and science braille books, though
> declines to comment on supplying electronic files from the
> publishers.
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