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The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf

Stepping out for voiceless

Lauren Kurtzer • March 3, 2014
Bernstein-300x225
Bernstein is talking to members of Stepping Out Club. He is a blind lawyer who fights for rights for disabled citizens. He believes denying the same rights for the disabled are the same as segregation. Photo courtesy of Lauren Kurtzer.

Blind attorney Richard Bernstein defines the odds that people with disabilities can’t do what “normal people” can do. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Stepping Out Club met, enjoyed food then Bernstein had a Q&A for the duration of the meeting.

“The worst thing you can do to humans is to separate and prejudge them,” said Bernstein.

Richard Bernstein:

  • Advocates for disabled and voice for voiceless
  • Is blind since birth
  • Graduate of University of Michigan and Northwestern School of Law
  • Landmark settlements against Delta and Detroit Metro Airport
  • Fought State of Michigan to keep funding for special education
  • Represented Paralyzed Veterans of America and disabled residents against Oakland County, Michigan
  • Federal suit against American Bar Association and New York City
  •  Completed 18 marathons and Ironmans
  • Co-hosts one-hour legal radio show “Fighting for Justice”
  • Many accolades throughout Detroit, Michigan and nationally

“He has such great accomplishments and an incredible story. I really hope he inspired all members,” said Ms. Lindsay Schroeder, club advisor.

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Bernstein told the members that anything is possible no matter what setbacks you have . He expressed the importance of being active and how helpful it is to him.

“He really opened my eyes knowing that I can do anything,” said Sammy Chacksfield, 9.
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About the Contributor
Lauren Kurtzer
Lauren Kurtzer, Creative Projects Director
Hi! My name is Lauren Kurtzer and I am a senior here at SHS; thus making it my fourth year in convergence journalism. Looking back on everything I learned and done in room 115, I can not believe it went by that quickly. Being on the staff of The Leaf I have picked up many skills on writing, design, and leadership that I can take to the future. I learned many of those skills through leadership positions of feature chief sophomore year; associate editor junior year, where I made sure articles are up to AP Style; creative projects director this year, I am part of a team that works on the major cover stories like the crazy election. I have written and designed for all four of our platforms. For the past three years, I have also written a sports column on every issue; I cover the morale issues of the NFL and my teams the Reds, Bengals and Buckeyes. Outside of room 115, I am the co-captain of the dance team I have been on for four years, the Flyerettes. I am also heavily involved in the Jewish community. I am the Programming Vice President for my temple’s youth group, which is a part of NFTY Ohio Valley, and the Social Action Programmer for Young Judaea Midwest youth movement. On Sundays, I am a madricha or assistant teacher at my Religious School.

The Leaf

The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
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Stepping out for voiceless