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Laurent is a proposed planned community in McCook County, South Dakota designed for deaf, hard of hearing and other sign language users. The town is named after Laurent Clerc; its initial inhabitants are expected to move in during 2008.
The project was started by Marvin T. Miller, a former journalist, who is himself deaf. He claims that the financing for the construction of the town, which will encompass an area of 1.3 square kilometres, is secured by a combination of Miller's own funds and a group of private investors. 158 families are allegedly already waiting to move into the town.
The project is being criticised by several groups, including the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Washington D.C. who have argued that persons with "disabilities" should integrate into society rather than form an enclave.
The project also has received letters of support from several organizations including National Association of the Deaf.
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"Laurent, South Dakota"