₦airaland Forum

A young woman has become Britain's first blind and Black barrister, in an achievement that has been described as 'truly remarkable.

23-year-old Jessikah Inaba qualified last week after studying for five years at a university in London. She completed her entire course using Braille and also credits her friends as well as her tutors for helping to fill in the gaps.

Jess is completely blind and had to use Braille throughout her time at the University of Law - London Bloomsbury. She started her accelerated law degree in September 2017 before starting a master's two years later alongside a professional training course.

Braille can be read on a special screen that usually gives one line at a time, or from specially printed books. She said it took seven months for her university to obtain one of her two key study texts so she could read on her computer, and five months for the other.

And, because of pictures and tables in the books, her Braille screen missed huge chunks of material, she said.

She says she got through most of her studies by making her own Braille materials from her lecture notes, or from friends reading books to her.

On her achievement, Jess said: 'It's been crazy - I still can't really believe I've done it. One day I'll wake up and realise how amazing this is.

'It was hard and I often thought of giving up, but my supportive family gave me courage and strength.

'I always believed in myself from the start - there's nothing about me which means this isn't possible.

'I know I can do this job really well, and the more people like me who go through training the easier it will become.

'It's a really good feeling, I know I'm giving hope to others in similar situations to mine. There's a triple-glazed glass ceiling.

'I'm not the most common gender or colour, and I have a disability, but by pushing through I'm easing the burden on the next person like me.'

She added that the university organised one-on-one tuition to support her when the lack of books held her back.

Jess said: 'I was spending more time preparing my own learning materials than I was studying.

'I was hospitalised because I kept fainting in October 2019 because I'd been functioning on about three hours sleep a night for two years.

'I would sometimes get 45 minutes a day to eat, but often I ate while at my computer.

'The university had other visually impaired people who used text to speech, but I just can't work like that.

'I need to read it physically for myself or I can't remember it. Everyone is different and has a different workaround for various situations.

'A lot of people registered blind have some vision, so they can sometimes use large print, or some blind people manage well just by listening to text.

'Braille is expensive to produce because you need a lot of special software and equipment.'

In court, Jess uses a tiny electronic machine with a Braille keyboard which has one key for each dot and a small screen where symbols pop up. This means she can keep her ears free to listen and can read and edit easily just by using her hands.

Jess is blind because of an eye condition called Bilateral microphthalmia, where babies are born with smaller than usual eyes.

She is now planning to apply for a pupillage - where newly qualified barristers get their first placement in chambers - when applications open in January.

She said: 'I'm very proud but I do wish it had all gone smoothly.

'I feel because of disabled access problems my results aren't a true reflection of my ability.

'I reckon as a black person I have to work 10 times harder than others just to be accepted by society.

'Before I can see a client I have to prove I'm a lawyer and justify my need for my specialist equipment.

'If I was an older white man who can see my professional life would be so much easier.

'I have to accept I might never be competing on a level playing field - that's hard.

'People from minority groups training to do this will face discrimination, hopefully that will get easier with time.

'If it happens don't be too shocked, just carry on following your dreams - you'll get there.'

The University of Law said: 'Jess is the first black and blind student to study at The University of Law.

'As a university, we were able to provide additional support to ensure Jess was able to succeed on the courses.

'There were challenges with sourcing materials in braille but we were pleased to be able to provide these eventually.

'We are extremely proud of Jess' achievements and we know she will be an inspiration to all students, showing that you can succeed in the face of physical challenges.

'We wish her the very best in her future career.'

Sam Mercer, head of diversity and inclusion at the Bar Council, said: 'Huge congratulations to Jessikah on joining the Bar.

'The Bar Council celebrates diversity in order to create a profession that is representative of all and for all.

'Role models, like Jessikah, within the profession have an important part to play in helping us to break down barriers to the Bar and encourage a more diverse profession.'

Twitter plans to start charging nearly $20 a month for users to stay verified.

This is part of a premium service that will be rolled out under Elon Musk’s leadership, according to a report.

"The whole verification process is being revamped right now," Musk, who took over as the CEO of the social media platform Friday, October 28, tweeted Sunday, October 30.

The company also plans to raise its optional $4.99-a-month premium subscription called Twitter Blue to $19.99 a month. However, that price is subject to change, The Verge reported, citing internal correspondence and people familiar with the matter.

Twitter will add more features, including verification, to bring its subscription up to par with the cost hike.

Elon Musk plans to make verified users pay money to keep their verified status.

Existing verified users have 90 days to subscribe to the new Twitter Blue after its launch or they’ll lose their blue checkmarks, according to The Verge.

The current Twitter Blue launched about a year ago and offers subscribers a way to view ad-free articles from some publishers as well as additional customization settings.

Musk has been outspoken about his desire to grow subscription numbers to account for half of Twitter’s revenue as well as his eagerness to overhaul the platform’s verification process.

wealthpreach:
So sorry. Forgive me.

begoniaa:
Seconded.

They call ladies all manner of names on here, but it's cruise so you should be able to overlook, or take it in strides. As if say dem or their papas don patronise person before.

But it's you he's preaching to, as per say you don't know him. Who cares?

Mtcheeewww.

dfrost:
E pain you ba? Go and be happy. Madrid draw their game. You suppose don declare free suya for Sule place by now.

dfrost:
Face front. Do what?

Kyase:
You wey manage win yesterday unko with ojoro cancelation sef

virginprincess:
You are cute though.

virginprincess:
I Just checked your profile,is that you on your profile .

Michelle70:
They had to defend, magwaya might score a goal if they dont

virginprincess:
My apologies,i was really upset with your previous comment for jumping into conclusions without thorough investigation,that guy is a troll,he keeps mentioning my name in his useless comments,sorry for the insult.

virginprincess:
You are very stupid for saying that,haven't you read his comment were he always insults me and calls me a prostitue,how does he knows i'm a prostitue.

begoniaa:
Oh.

begoniaa:
Oh. Telling me I am exposing myself here is what?

Michelle70:
Lolz, i had to go check all NL comments after 3:53pm.

Lolz, its true no one commented

begoniaa:
Are you drunk or high on pennisetum purpureum?

wealthpreach:
You're dumb then...

begoniaa:
Why are you being a scaredy, "balless" nigga when you know I am on this profile? You for mention me with this moniker wey I go take quick see am now.

Epa.

virginprincess:
Broke idiot,always lamenting with my name,stay there,don't go and work and make money like your mates are doing.

kozmicity:
We're getting a comfy win today bro. Shouldn't you be worried about how y'all are getting kicked outta Europa league soonest??

dominique:
Why is this monster's identity being protected? No photo, no tangible information about him. How on earth is he going to get apprehended if the general public knows next to nothing about him? The police should do the needful and release more information about him immediately.

As usual no fear men comments so far and of course, at least one lunatic will blame the mother. If you're not going to say it, I will. You Nairaland men are not only dangerous to yourselves, your partners, your children, your families and the society at large, you are also the worst hypocrites on earth. You people commit at least 90% of the crimes reported daily yet you're quick to shout that women are this and that.

Is it because of women that you have to keep your house secured?

Is it because of women that we're scared to go out at late at night?

Is it because of women that parents are now getting afraid to send their daughters out on errands?

You people keep using fake chats, fake Twitter stories to say all sorts of rubbish about women meanwhile your fellow men are 100% worse. I hope monster you're taming will turn around to destroy you people one day.

Benki003:
That's lie bruh, no matter how bad the are in the league it doesn't show in UCL

Mark it the are playing the finals with whosoever come out between man city and real Madrid