Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Last August I wrote a story about how CSD office started an office in Dallas for videophone outreach service. It took us about five years to success bring CSD in Dallas before they launched its own office in spring 2003. We were very happy we made it possible.

Unfortunately, they shut down office in Dallas last December 2005. At this time, words spread around quickly. It is not secret but of course, many people disappointed with their decision. They laid Kathy Walters off who work at this office for about two years. I did not say much about it for while because I was trying to put all pieces of stories together for this blog.

Personally, I have never thought they would shut down the office. CSD claimed they are downsizing but I was told by someone else that Sprint stopped the outreach contract. It doesn’t matter – the point is our deaf community still wants CSD to come back for real service — not something like this outreach service.

Good news, the advisory committee (almost all same people since August 2005) wants to fight back. They are working on it right now – yes, it is pretty much starting all over again.

At this point, I don’t know what committee’s agenda right now but I am sure they will come up strategy. One thing I know – they want to invite Ben Soukup (CEO of CSD) to come over here and have meeting with him.

However, I am not sure if we should bother to bring CSD back again after they tried and failed to start up human service basically. Maybe it is not really because those – maybe it is low priority to CSD top management. Who knows?

Same time, we can even start one without CSD. I realize that it is very challenge to start up one in Dallas & Fort Worth area due to another numbers of organizations like DAC and GCD.

Oh yeah, we have Sorenson VRS center in Arlington (between Dallas and Fort Worth) plus Lifelinks VRS (rumors) may start up one in here in near future. If CSD is willing to reconsider again, they better act fast before it gets harder later on. I know that interpreter agency is always one of biggest roles in many organizations these days. (money maker)

I will keep you posted. 

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com