Binno has repeatedly received low scores on the LSAT. He was quoted as saying: ''I can't work any harder. I can't study any harder. I can't figure it out, because I can't draw out a diagram like a sighted person can to figure out the answers to these questions.'' He's been rejected to the three law schoolss to which he's applied.
Born blind, Binno has proven a remarkable student - he graduated from high school a year early, then went on to intern at a law firm. He also is able to speak three languages, and worked for the Department of Homeland Security before being laid off due to funding cuts.
But the LSAT has so far proven a major obstacle. Per the article, the American Bar Association requires law schools use a ''valid and reliable'' admissions test, and that only the LSAT meets these criteria.
Binno was quoted as saying: ''The ABA is supposed to be standing up for justice. What are they standing for in this situation? I'm not saying that I should receive an automatic entrance into law school. All I'm saying is, give me a level playing field.''
To try and level that playing field, Binno enlisted the help of his blind friend, attorney Richard Bernstein. Fifteen years ago, Bernstein received a waiver to enter law school. Not long after, Bernstein claims, per the article, that the ''ABA revised its standards and threatened to penalize schools that gave too many waivers or did not use the LSAT.''
In turn, Bernstein is suing the ABA on the grounds it is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Bernstein was quoted as saying: ''They are basically forcing U.S. law schools to break federal law by requiring applicants to take an illegal exam. The Americans with Disabilities Act is very clear about this. It is illegal to require someone to take an exam which, on its face, is discriminatory.''
However, the ABA contends it accommodates those with disabilities.
Another issue, for some, is the U.S. News and World report annual rankings. According to Donald Polden, dean of Santa Clara University Law School, the ''ABA does grant some schools exemptions from using the LSAT, but top-tier programs don't want to risk their rankings. The stories are legend about a five- or six-position swing in a school has caused the loss of jobs of administrators or students to flee for other law schools.''
He also added that many people on the ABA committee he leads that assesses accreditation standards feel the LSAT should be dropped as a prerequisite for entrance to law school.
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