Who was a significant advocate for deaf education and contributed to its history in the 1960s?

William Stokoe was a crucial figure in the history of deaf education during the 1960s, primarily recognized for his role in legitimizing American Sign Language (ASL) as a natural language. His groundbreaking work included linguistic studies that demonstrated ASL's complexity and structure, which challenged the prevailing view that it was merely a simplified communication system or a mere representation of English. Stokoe’s efforts led to a greater acceptance of ASL in educational settings and significantly influenced how deaf education was approached, promoting the use of sign language in conjunction with traditional teaching methods.

His impact extended not just through his scholarly work but also through his advocacy for the rights of deaf individuals and the importance of teaching in a manner that respects and utilizes their first language. This acknowledgment of ASL paved the way for more inclusive and effective educational practices for deaf students, fostering an environment where their linguistic and cultural identity could thrive.

Other individuals mentioned, while prominent in their contributions to the deaf community and entertainment, such as Marlee Matlin's advocacy and Andrew Foster’s establishment of schools for the deaf in Africa, did not focus on language assimilation or the linguistic foundations of deaf education in the same transformative way during that particular decade.