Judge-in-Training for the Court of Almelo, Netherlands, Relies On Assistive Technology to Keep Demanding Pace of Legal Training

For all legal professionals reading and writing is essential—that goes for judicial trainees in the Netherlands court system as well. Visually impaired at an early age, Judge-in-Training Sebastiaan Hermans uses assistive technology along with standard computer technology to stay abreast of his training schedule.

In the Netherlands, a "Judge-in-Training" puts in a rigorous six years of study and practice under the supervision of the court system's tenured judges—that means lots of reading and writing. Judge-in-Training, Sebastiaan Hermans, assigned to the Almelo District Court, is one-and-a-half years along in his regimen, and fully involved in his training.

Visually impaired at an early age, Hermans uses several assistive technologies to keep up the demanding pace—including the Supernova Reader Magnifier screen reading technology by Dolphin Computer Access.

Supernova Combines Screen Reading, Magnification and Braille Support

Supernova includes full-screen reading in speech and Braille with integrated magnification—meeting the needs of both blind and partially sighted computer users. The software works automatically with most off-the-shelf Microsoft Windows applications and can be configured to work with complex or proprietary applications as well.

Supernova recognizes text and graphics including dialog boxes, icons, buttons, menus, and other controls and "speaks" their titles and descriptions through the computer's sound card using synthesized speech.

Assistive Technology Is Vital to Communications in the Workplace

Hermans says his assistive technology is crucial to his ability to do his job. "The technology is very important to me—especially because it allows me to effectively communicate with and interact with my colleagues. I can work on e-mail and over the network—just as my colleagues do. I can access the information they have on their computers and they can send me information that is easily accessible to me. This makes me feel very integrated with, and involved with, my colleagues and my workplace," he says.

Assistive Technology Tools Provide for Flexibility in Work

Hermans uses other assistive technology tools in addition to Supernova, as well. One important tool is the Braille Voyager Braille display by Tieman. In the first phase of his training, which was concentrated on criminal law, Hermans used a laptop computer with his 44-cell Braille Voyager display plus Supernova software while recording testimony in court and drafting judicial decisions.

For hearings, Hermans prepares by typing notes on his desktop computer using Supernova and his Braille display. After preparing his notes, he uses a Braille printer to produce a Braille printout he can use in court.

Government Funding Provides Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, according to Hermans, government funding is available to help people with disabilities get the assistive technologies they need to do their jobs.

The system works he says, but it can take time. In his case, the District Court of Almelo arranged to reimburse his former employer for the cost of some assistive technology he brought with him to his new job with the Courts; and to pay up-front for some other tools—including his Supernova software. They then applied to the government for reimbursement.

Hermans says that people with disabilities need to speak up about the tools they need to do their jobs and to help their employers identify them.

"The person with a disability often knows what will work best and what technology is available. They should help their employers by telling them what's available, how and where to get it, and why it will help the person do a better job."

Rigorous Training Produces Well-Rounded Jurists in the Netherlands

During the first half year of Hermans' training he worked as a clerk of the court in the criminal law section performing tasks such as recording testimony during court sessions and taking minutes of the sessions. Now he is working in the area of civil law drafting judicial decisions, and taking testimony of witnesses, for example.

Later in his training he will study and practice administrative law. After that, he will join the prosecutor's office for a one-year stint before taking a job outside of the Court for two years—preferably as an attorney—to gain experience with another judicial function to round out his apprenticeship. During that time, the Court pays his salary.

Hermans' progress will be evaluated regularly along the way and if he passes all checkpoints he'll eventually become a full-fledged judge in the Netherlands Court system. In the Netherlands judges are assigned to their posts by the government after they complete the wide-ranging 6-year training program.