washington historic first u.s. chief justice john roberts use sign language supreme court bench tuesday welcome dozen deaf hard-of-hearing lawyers take part ceremony authorize argue case court 12 members deaf hard hear bar association swear members supreme court bar present court admission roberts sign american sign language motion grant membership supreme court bar allow lawyer argue case justices members never actually roberts appoint republican president george w. bush 2005 believe first u.s. chief justice use sign language bench also first time members deaf hard hear bar association take part swearing-in ceremony court lawyers stay oral arguments two case ornate courtroom assist interpreter stand front mahogany bench eight justices sit lawyers permit use instant transcription service transmit electronic devices normally electronic devices allow courtroom one attorneys teresa curtin weitz luxenberg law firm say statement event aim encourage people disabilities embark legal career begin law career late 1980s handful deaf lawyers unite state around 250 curtin say 1982 deaf lawyer michael chatoff argue case supreme court assist real-time transcription system case concern whether school board require provide deaf student sign-language interpreter chatoff lose case 6-3 rule u.s. chief justice use sign language deaf lawyers swear