Early Pioneers:
* Pedro Ponce de Leon: A Spanish Benedictine monk who is considered the first to develop a system of sign language and to teach deaf children in the 16th century.
* Juan Pablo Bonet: A Spanish priest who published the first known book on deaf education, "Method for Teaching Deaf-Mutes to Speak," in 1620. This book included a system of fingerspelling and oralism.
* Jacob Rodrigues Pereire: A Portuguese educator who developed a method for teaching deaf children to speak and read in the 18th century.
Important figures in the development of sign language:
* Thomas Braidwood: A Scottish teacher who established a school for the deaf in Edinburgh in the 18th century and developed a system of sign language based on the British Sign Language.
* Laurent Clerc: A French deaf educator who brought sign language to the United States in the early 19th century. He co-founded the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, which became a model for deaf education in the US.
Advocates for oralism:
* Alexander Graham Bell: A scientist and inventor who believed that deaf children should be taught to speak and read lips. He founded the Volta Bureau in Washington, D.C., which promoted oral education for the deaf.
Advocates for bilingual/bicultural education:
* I. King Jordan: The first deaf president of Gallaudet University, a prestigious university for the deaf. He was a strong advocate for bilingual/bicultural education, which emphasizes the use of both sign language and spoken language.
Current figures:
* Dr. Robert Davila: A prominent advocate for deaf education and the founder of the National Association of the Deaf.
* Dr. Carol Padden: A leading researcher in sign language and a strong advocate for deaf culture.
It's important to recognize that the development of education for the deaf is an ongoing process, with many individuals contributing to the field throughout history. The approach to deaf education has evolved over time, with different methods being advocated for and implemented. However, the ultimate goal has always been to provide deaf children with the tools they need to succeed in life.