BYRON CENTER, Mich. (WZZM) -- Advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing community say services have been cut deeply in Michigan in the last three years, making it ever more important for them to support each other.
They did that at the 18th Annual Silent Celebration in Byron Center Saturday. An estimated 250 people from across the state gathered for a picnic and games. Participants say this is one of the only events in Michigan, so many make the trip.
"There's a lot of businesses, institutions, companies that don't provide communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals so they're drastically underserved, just socially even," said Beverly Chesebro, a long-time event participant and active member in the deaf community.