New, State-of-the-Art Building Dedicated At American School for the Deaf in West Hartford

Awesome. Neat. Jaw-dropping.

The superlatives used by the students to describe the new, $20 million Gallaudet-Clerc Education Center at the American School for the Deaf were appropriate, but may have even come up short for the phenomenal building.

Indeed, the 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art learning center has everything to take the 197-year-old school into the 21st century.

"This really is a dream come true," said David Carter, president of the school's board of directors.

The halls and classrooms are spacious and well-lit. there is an advanced security system, as well as a Phonak Amplification System, which synchronizes a student's DM ear-level worn receiver to the transmitter/microphone of the individual classroom teacher.

Video screens line the halls and SMART Boards - interactive whiteboards - are in the classrooms. Things are color coordinated, and the cafeteria, health center and the classrooms are all under one roof, creating efficiencies.

Edward Peltier, the school's executive director, said that the new technology levels the playing field for the students.

"Everyone needs to be connected to their community," Peltier said.

As student Faye Frez-Albrecht said during the dedication to the building on Tuesday, "A picture is worth a thousand words. But for us, a picture is worth a million words."

It was one of the many powerful statements and gestures made during the course of the hour-long ceremony.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who has spoken at the school's graduation in the past, had a classroom dedicated to her during the dedication.

Wyman was clearly moved by the gesture.

"It was a total shock," Wyman said afterward. "This school has fought so hard to make this a better place for students with disabilities. To be honored by them is amazing, because we should be honoring them."