Blind Grad’s Computer Use Cleared for Exam

(CN) - A blind law graduate has received the 9th Circuit's belated approval to use special screen-reading computer software on the state bar exam.

After the exam began Tuesday, the appellate court issued a brief order denying the National Conference of Bar Examiners' request to have Stephanie Enyart barred from using a computer during the test.

The NCBE said it feared that Enyart would surreptitiously record the multiple-choice test questions, some of which are recycled on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam and the Multistate Bar Exam.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco ordered the NCBE to provide the law graduate with the JAWS and ZoomText software, which allow her to read text on a computer screen.

Breyer said the NCBE could simply offer Enyart its own computer, which it will keep after Enyart takes the test.

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