Grant W. Laird, Jr.

Cell Phone Scams
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:39 Minutes Long Not too long ago, Grant discovered hidden premium fee on T-Mobile (Sidekick II) thru monthly statement online. Same thing goes with his Sprint Treo 755p, unfortunately. Grant probably lost few hundred dollars because he’s not paying attention to statement carefully. He looked up Google and discovered that he’s not alone. [...]
Tech Mon, Jun 30 2008 hide this blog

Pin Number
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 4 Minutes Long Grant talked about pin number or password that you have one on your Sidekick, Blackberry, Palm and others. Often it is not default enabled, you need to set it up and use it ALL THE TIMES. It is for your own protection! He explained few reasons why it is so [...]
Tech Sun, Mar 23 2008 hide this blog

Scam in Deaf Community
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:03 Minutes Long Grant discussed about scam issues (all kinds) in Deaf Community. He said everyone need to be extra pay attention when it comes with a large sum of money from stranger or even good friends. It doesn't matter if they are from outside US or your neighbours. When in doubt, ask [...]
Culture Sun, Mar 23 2008 hide this blog

Assassin’s Creed – Lack of Subtitle
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:30 Minutes Long Not too long ago, Grant borrowed from his older daughter an Xbox 360 game called Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft Publisher) which recently released in November 2007. It has become one of the most popular games today. He managed to go thru first stage of game “How to play with controller” episode before [...]
Language Tech Sun, Jan 20 2008 hide this blog

What is Facebook?
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 6:00 Minutes Long Grant discussed briefly why Facebook.com is so popular these days. Deaf Community within Facebook is growing... Facebook vs. MySpace (similar but different) Why Facebook? (Brief Introduction) Investment in Facebook (Microsoft, etc.) Features within Facebook (Poke, The Wall, etc.) Others You can look up more information about ...
Tech Wed, Jan 16 2008 hide this blog

How to Make Good Vlog
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 7:00 Minutes Long Past couple of years, Grant received numbers of request how he create good vlog. (Or best vlog whichever fit you better.) Grant acknowledged that there’s many vlogger out there with success results. Basically, he wants to explain from his own experience and shared his tricks with you.This is for [...]
Tech Sun, Jan 06 2008 hide this blog

10th Anniversary: Little History About DeafNetwork.com
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 8:00 Minutes Long Grant talked how he originally started Deaf Network website 10 years ago. (November 1997 Present) Before he signed up new domain, he used free webpage service under local ISP. Also, he was lucky to learn some HTML codes (Using Notepad) from his friend at job. Of course things are [...]
Tech Thu, Dec 13 2007 hide this blog

Deaf Website & Dot-com History
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 5:00 Minutes Long Grant talked about DeafNetwork.com which recently celebrating 10th Anniversary. Its been rich experience for him over years. One thing he mentioned that theres few deaf-related website that still existing today after running for about 10 years? He remembers many deaf-related website that are no longer in business due to [...]
Language Tech Culture Mon, Dec 10 2007 hide this blog

Did Jeep Dealer Misleading Us?
Grant Laird Jr. Click image to view full-scale image Did Jeep Dealer misleading us? Since I use Gmail (Google Email) frequently and I saw this Google advertising "ada OK Truck" - What the hell is that? I went ahead and click it to see for myself. It is nothing but Jeep advertising. Sigh. In case you didn't know how it [...]
Language Tech Mon, Dec 10 2007 hide this blog

Deaf Community vs. ASL Students
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 5:00 Minutes Long Several bloggers and vloggers discussed regarding ASL students whether they should attend different places such as Deaf Chat Coffee, DPHH, or Deaf Club. Grant acknowledged that its difficult to provide good places for students to learn ASL better in real environment. Same times, deaf and hard of hearing folks are trying to relax [....
Language Education Culture Wed, Nov 14 2007 hide this blog

YouTube Mobile
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 1:13 Minutes Long Grant discussed about YouTube.com Mobile — he was able to view it with his Palm Treo 755p with no problem. Right now, YouTube Mobile doesn't support all of its videos but hopefully near in future. Try it today! YouTube.com Mobile: [link] Does it work on Blackberry, Sidekick and another Treo models? Let [...]
Tech Tue, Nov 13 2007 hide this blog

911 Call: Updated
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 1:38 Minutes Long Grant discussed about 911 calls last month about not able to call 911 while you are on the road. He figures it is probably the next best thing is call police department´s front desk or non-emergency phone line. They can help you even it is not 911 calls. This list based in Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas Police Department Directory...
Tech Legal Mon, Oct 15 2007 hide this blog

ASL Music: Is it for Real?
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:34 Minutes Long Grant saw several good topics about "ASL Music" at DeafRead.com past few days. He wanted to comment from his own experience. He never enjoyed music at all even at deaf-group choir (church) with sign language. But...now he enjoyed ASL storytelling and ASL poetry very much. You can find more about ASL storytelling and ASL poetry at D...
Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, Oct 14 2007 hide this blog

911 Call
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 4:28 Minutes Long Grant discussed about emergency 911 calls that he had bad experience from recent incident. He mentioned that last week, he saw "hit and run" a car accidents near my house. He was ready to make 911 calls, but he could not do it - he has no way to call 911. Lucky he and neighbor stopped by their house and found out they knew about [...]
Tech Fri, Sep 21 2007 hide this blog

Is Xbox 360 Deaf Friendly Machine?
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:57 Minutes Long Grant talked about Xbox 360 console game machine but is it deaf friendly machine? He would love to know if anybody have it, too. Apparently, most of the features are obviously deaf-friendly except few things. Read on. 1. Playing Xbox Live (online via Internet against other players) is probably one of the most disadvantages out [...]
Tech Wed, Sep 19 2007 hide this blog

Best Buy Store
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:32 Minutes Long Grant discussed about Best Buy Store (see announcement here and here) — he said that Best Buy Store contributing their employees to learn ASL in Washington DC area is a great idea! Hope other stores will copy the idea. However, he expressed his concern if this store hire enough deaf and hard of hearing people to work at a [...]
Language Tech Wed, Sep 05 2007 hide this blog

Deaf Voice
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:11 Minutes Long Grant talked about his own "deaf" voice — he acknowledged that he does make noise during the conversation from time to time. (Such as laughing, moody, upset, etc.) He usually don't care when he's chatting with friends at home, videophone, deaf club, conference, vlog, etc. but however he usually know [...]
Audism Art and Storytelling Culture Sun, Sep 02 2007 hide this blog

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Business
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 4:09 Minutes Long Grant discussed about deaf and hard of hearing owned business. He remembers his father was in painting business for many years in Pittsburgh area back in 60´s and 70´s. Today many deaf businesses still exist today in construction, painting, and all that stuff. What´s more, more and more deaf and hard of hearing entered advanced [...]
Tech Mon, Aug 27 2007 hide this blog

What is Regional Specialist?
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 5:00 Minutes Long Grant discussed about Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS - It used to be called TCDHH) under Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) — they have several programs such as STAP, Interpreter Certification (BEI), referral program, much more! Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program also work closely [...]
Language Audism Education Tech Legal Fri, Aug 17 2007 hide this blog

Politics of Hope
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 4:00 Minutes Long Grant talked about his friend name Tom Caiazzo who ran for congressman in Texas District #3 during year 2001. (in vlog, he said 2000 - it should be 2001) Tom approached him thru DeafNetwork.com website and invited Grant to be part of his Caiazzo for Congress campaign committee. In long run, Tom did not win election due to many [...]
Language Culture Mon, Aug 13 2007 hide this blog

So Loud During Landscape Duty
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:00 Minutes Long Grant discussed about his experience when he worked for landscape company. He didn't realized that it's annoying to other people (hearing co-workers) when he did edge/trim or weed-eating equipments because it was so loud. It also eat up blade or string so fast, they didn't like it — so they moved him back to [...]
Art and Storytelling Mon, Aug 06 2007 hide this blog

Deaf Community: Local Issues
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - 2:41 Minutes Long Grant talked about deaf community local issues and encourage blogger and vlogger to discuss more about it other than FCC, VRS, technology issues. He truly believe that these area need more attention and find a way to help them to get better over times. For example: Program such as Domestic Abuse, Job Assistant Placement, literacy, and all [...]
Culture Thu, Jul 05 2007 hide this blog

DPN Protest with Tim Rarus
Grant Laird Jr. Click To Play ASL Presentation - Approx 35 Minutes Long Tim Rarus gave me permission to videotape entirely his presentation during Texas Association of the Deaf Conference on June 22, 2007 in Arlington, Texas. Some of the footage is little bit dark than others. This workshop is very educational and same time you get real idea what it is like to be in protest. He also [...]
Higher Education Thu, Jun 28 2007 hide this blog

Thank you, TAD!
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:06 Minutes Long He took pictures (over 500+) and some video during Texas Association of the Deaf Conference on June 21-23, 2007 in Arlington, Texas. He also talked about The Golden Hand Award by TAD and NAD. He expressed thank you to TAD/NAD and everyone! He was so speechless when he received the The Golden Award. He was so busy [...]
Mon, Jun 25 2007 hide this blog

Pinky Show at Dallas Deaf Club
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - 2:58 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr discussed about his trip to Dallas Deaf Club last weekend (6/9/07) and watched Pinky Comedy Show about Videophone and VRS. We all have good times. To learn more about Pinky Show - click here. Also, he talked about her last year on this blog site, check it out! Click here. Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Art and Storytelling Tech Thu, Jun 14 2007 hide this blog

New Feature - My DeafRead
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:25 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr talked about DeafRead.com's newest feature called Personalized DeafRead — also known as "My DeafRead". If you haven't try, try it out today — you don't have to set up anything. Try it out - go to [link] Tayler Mayer acknowledged there's couple bugs but it is [...]
Tech Wed, Jun 06 2007 hide this blog

Diversity Program at Workplace
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 7:00 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr talked about his experience with diversity program at current job. Basically he explained that initiative program such as Deaf/Disabilities, Africian American, Latino American, Gay/Lesbian, Asian, Faith-based group, etc can make difference inside workplace especially top 500 Fortunate list. He's fortunate to [...]
Education Culture Sat, Jun 02 2007 hide this blog

Save Your Conversation
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 3:54 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr talked about if you do save your conversation with your friends thru AOL Instant Messenger or do you save your conversation thru videophone with VRS or friends? Bascially he asked couple deaf lawyers about it few years ago and it raised some interesting discussion. Right now, there's really no law to prevent [...]
Tech Legal Mon, May 28 2007 hide this blog

Relay Service Online
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:29 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr discussed about relay service online (web-based & text-based online) - as far as he know there´s only eight different providers that offer it. Do you know any other that also offer relay service online? Also, not all providers have same service like AOL Instant Messenger-supported; some of them work with [...]
Tech Mon, May 28 2007 hide this blog

Order Foods at Thru Drive via Remote Call Center
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:33 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr talked about typical thru drive. (current method) and future thru drive (future with remote ordering system) He wondered if it's going impact deaf community? According to article, its already started at few places. Read full article at USA Today - click here Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Tech Tue, May 15 2007 hide this blog

Spider-Man 3 Released Same Day with Captioned
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - 3:29 Minutes Long Grant W Laird Jr talked about Spider-Man 3 movie which released last week - he was impressed that captioned available same day as Spider-man 3 movie released. He also talked about little about Insight Cinema (Open Captioned) and Rear Closed Captioning. In case you never check out Fomdi website, it is a must see for anybody who want to [...]
Media Tech Fri, May 11 2007 hide this blog

RSS in Plain English
Grant Laird Jr. I found this video with subtitle (thru DotSub technology) about RSS in Plain English. I figure some of you might find it useful information since many of Deaf and Hard of Hearing folks still struggle to understand how RSS Reader works. More helpful information can be found at DeafRead.com RSS Help. Enjoy! Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Media Tech Tue, May 01 2007 hide this blog

Visual Alarm at Workplace
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 5:00 Minutes Long Grant W Laird Jr discussed about his experience with visual alarm (strobe alarm) at workplace. Basically he explained how much it evolved and improved over times with visual alarm at his workplace. Also, he talked about his pager which used as emergency message for drill or real one. Does anybody have similar one at your [...]
Tech Mon, Apr 30 2007 hide this blog

Treo 700wx - Use it as ISP
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 1:30 Minutes Long Note: ISP = Internet Service Provider such as cable or DSL provider (Comcast, AT&T, AOL, etc.) Someone asked if we can use Treo 700wx or another PDA-type device as ISP at home computer if you don't have internet access. The short answer is yes. Will it be fast enough to run such as videophone? No, not with this device [...]
Tech Mon, Apr 23 2007 hide this blog

Yes, I am part of grassroot
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:07 Minutes Based on Jay's Videoclip about grassroot, Grant Laird Jr. talked little about his own experience as part of grassroot in his community. Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Culture Fri, Apr 20 2007 hide this blog

Child Oralism Abuse...Not!
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:43 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr. shared his childhood with orals issues...not! Actually, he never took it because his father won't let him take it. Grant´s father grew at catholic school in Pittsburgh, PA that doesn´t allow sign language - oral only when he was young. (Image nun would use ruler to hit hand if they use sign language) He [...]
Audism Education Wed, Apr 18 2007 hide this blog

Treo 700wx - Hook up with your laptop
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 1:35 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr. discussed about Sprint Palm Treo 700wx (Microsoft Mobile) and its mobile connection to laptop (Internet access) and as well as hook up with GPS device. Have you guys ever try it before? Well, you should try sometime! Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Tue, Apr 10 2007 hide this blog

DHH DFW - April 2007
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 2:22 Minutes Long Grant W Laird Jr discussed about Deaf Happy Hours in Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas. DHH DFW Team is taking some change; (little experiment) we will host twice every month at each city starting this month and next month. (April and May 2007) That's mean we will host one at Dallas area and one at Fort Worth area. DHH DFW [...]
Mon, Apr 09 2007 hide this blog

First Saturday in Dallas
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Video - Approx 1:42 Minutes long For more information, go to [link] Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Mon, Apr 09 2007 hide this blog

Respond to Deaf Tea Time: Love vs. Deaf Gene
Grant Laird Jr. ASL video clip - Approx 2:50 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr responded to Deaf Tea Time regarding "Love vs. Deaf Gene" — shared his thought when Grant and his wife had two beauitful daughters more than 15 years ago. To read Deaf Tea Time videoclip about - Love vs. Deaf Gene: and Love vs. Deaf Gene II [...]
Mon, Apr 02 2007 hide this blog

Family Custody Court
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Vlog - Approx 5:40 Minutes Long Talked about how Grant Laird Jr raised in deaf family battle over children custody at court for years in 70s and 80s. Today, we still see similar problem everywhere. Unfortunately. Grant W Laird Jr. [link]
Fri, Mar 30 2007 hide this blog

Hershey Family
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Vlog - Approx 1:23 Minutes Long Discussed about Hershey Family — the family who started Hershey candy business many years ago. They are one of the biggest candy makers in the world today. They have a town called Hershey in Pennsylvania — that's where I heard about it when I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. Anyway, one of my family [...]
Mon, Mar 26 2007 hide this blog

Doctor called me Deaf and Mute when I was Little Boy
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Vlog - Approx 1:50 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr discussed about his deaf father who got upset at doctor — he wrote "deaf and dumb" on paperwork back in 70s. What my dad is request nicely to remove it — doctor refused. He got upset and tear paperwork... I was maybe 5 or 7 years old at [...]
Sun, Mar 18 2007 hide this blog

TTY vs. TDD
Grant Laird Jr. ASL Vlog - 2:34 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr. discussed why we should call TTY instead of TDD? Eddy Laird (cousin) made point that we should called it TTY no matter what just like everyone still called "telephone" or "phone" whether it is cell phone or cordless phone. Share your thoughts why should we continue with "TDD" (Telecommunication [...]
Sun, Mar 18 2007 hide this blog

ASL Interpreter at Universal Studio Park in Florida
Grant Laird Jr. Google Video - Approx 7:00 Minutes Long Grant Laird Jr discussed about ASL interpreter at Universal Studio Park (with on-site interpreter) and Island of Adventure (without interpreter) in Orlando, Florida. It's been wonderful experience for my family when we attended there during summer vacation few years ago. I think it's nice to have an interpreter with you [...]
Tue, Mar 13 2007 hide this blog

Do you still use your child(ren) as interpreter?
Grant Laird Jr. Google Video - Approx 2:30 minutes long Do you guys still use your child(ren) as interpreter today? Many times you will hear CODA complained (both good and bad ways) that their deaf parent heavily depends on them as interpreter when children are growing up. With today modren technology such as wireless cell phone, relay service, emails, instant [...] [...]
Sun, Mar 11 2007 hide this blog

Cool Special Effects with ASL
Grant Laird Jr. Google Video - Approx 4:00 Minutes Long A lot of cool special effects in this video just for fun with ASL!! Enjoy! Grant W Laird Jr. [link] [...]
Sat, Mar 10 2007 hide this blog

Playing with Ubi Duo
Grant Laird Jr. Google Video - Approx 7:00 Minutes Long Grant W Laird Jr discussed his experience when he have it for a month. On this video, you will see close up video what it is like to use Ubi-Duo product. The purpose for this video to help see what it is like and what can we do with it. Talk [...] [...]
Tue, Mar 06 2007 hide this blog

Note & Pen
Grant Laird Jr. Google Video - Approx 3:30 Minutes long Grant W Laird Jr. shared his experience about using paper and pen to communicate with his boss, apartment manager, mortgage loaner, etc. For people like you and me who use paper and pen heavily to communicate with hearing folks, you should carry your own notepad and pen all the [...] [...]
Mon, Mar 05 2007 hide this blog

History of Wireless Devices in Deaf Community
Grant Laird Jr. In past 10 years, I've showed some of my old collection of wireless devices that I used over years. The video is about six minutes long. List of devices that I showed on this video.RIM - ReachNET pager Motorola - PageWriter 2000x under WebLink Wireless Motorola - Timeport under Sprint Motorola - i85e cell phone under Nextel Danger [...] [...]
Thu, Mar 01 2007 hide this blog