By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Supporters of plans to create the first college for deaf students in Greater Cincinnati are encouraged after winning zoning approval to build a dormitory that would be the campus centerpiece.

"The vote is a triumph for deaf people here, but now we have to get the money. We're trying to raise $800,000," said the Rev. Fred Adams, who heads the Sword Deaf Baptist Church in Mason, after City Council approved zoning changes this week for the church to build a two-story dormitory to house about 100 students.

The church, off Mason Road, also won approval to expand the church building to include a gymnasium and small community center for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

There are an estimated 150,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing residents in Greater Cincinnati and the Sword Deaf church, which already offers some college courses for about 40 students, is hoping to become the first deaf religious college in Ohio.

In the United States, the population of deaf or hard-of-hearing is estimated at 28 million.

Adams said he hopes to attract students from around the nation to the school's Mason campus.

Adams said the church hopes to break ground for the dormitory in November and begin receiving students in late 2005.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com