FALMOUTH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The deaf and hard of hearing have had a place to call their own on Mackworth Island since Governor Percival Baxter donated the island to the state in the late 1950s. The Governor Baxter School for the Deaf has come a long way, but has always held on to the idea that deaf students deserve the best education possible.
During the past few years the Baxter School has focused more on integrating students into public school systems and less on isolating them to receiving an education on Mackworth. There are 54 students enrolled at the Baxter School, including Freshman Asad Deqow who attends Portland High School with the help of interpreters who use American Sign Language.
"I like it here," said Deqow. "I'd rather come here because I can hang out with friends who are deaf as well as those who can hear."
According to the executive director of the school, David Sherry, students are encouraged to use whatever forms of communication work for them.
"Create opportunities, not close doors and say you've got to sign, you've got to use spoken language," said Sherry. "We want kids to understand that they can do all of those things because that's what is going to make them a fuller more skilled adaptable human being and that's what we want for them."
For more information on the school go to mecdhh.org.
