Sightless disability lawyer wins supreme court bid with hugs and 'blind justice' campaign slogan
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Corrected: A disability lawyer who won election to the Michigan Supreme Court last Tuesday will become the state’s first blind state high court justice.
Richard Bernstein funded his campaign with $2 million, paying for commercials in which he allied himself with “the people” and used a “blind justice” campaign slogan, the Detroit News reports.
Catching up with Bernstein as he campaigned on a rainy election day, the newspaper said Bernstein also distinguished himself as “most huggable” as he greeted potential voters and offered hugs. The offer was made “with a zest and warmth” that few were able to turn down, the story says.
Bernstein says the “blind justice” campaign slogan—which he dreamed up himself—was intended to be both funny and serious.
“That’s all mine,” Bernstein tells the Detroit News. “Because you have to deal with it and it really expresses what justice is. I am blind, and justice—real justice—is blind. Programs and services are great, but people also have to understand on a personal level. … A blind person can’t prejudge others. I want to confront who I am directly, because people want to understand how I do what I do. It’s a way to have a discussion.”
Bernstein was previously in the news when he sued New York City after being struck by a Central Park bicyclist, breaking his left hip. Bernstein alleged the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to make the park safe for those with disabilities. He trained for the New York Marathon a year later though he continued to struggle with pain from the accident.
Correction
Corrected on Nov. 19 when it came to our attention that Judge Rick Teitelman of the Supreme Court of Missouri is also legally blind. Bernstein does appear to be the first blind state supreme court justice in Michigan.
