The American School for the Deaf was established in Hartford, Connecticut, marking a pivotal moment in the education of deaf individuals in the United States. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an educational reformer, was motivated by the need to educate his neighbor's deaf child, Alice Coggeshall. He traveled to Europe to learn more about effective teaching methods for deaf students, where he met Laurent Clerc, a deaf teacher from France. Gallaudet's vision was to create a school that would cater specifically to deaf children, focusing on sign language and tailored curricula.

Laurent Clerc played a crucial role as he became the first teacher at the newly founded school. His knowledge and expertise brought a wealth of experience from the French educational system for the deaf, which heavily influenced American practices. The school opened its doors on April 15, 1817, initially serving just seven students but soon expanded as awareness of the importance of deaf education grew. The institution was originally called the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, and it set the stage for the expansion of schools across the nation dedicated to serving deaf individuals.

The founding of the school not only marked the beginning of specialized education for deaf individuals in America but also established a strong foundation for sign language as a legitimate means of communication. Gallaudet and Clerc's work had lasting implications, leading to a network of deaf education and the recognition of the deaf community's rights to acquire language and education. The establishment helped foster a sense of identity and community among the deaf, advocating for their inclusion and acceptance in society.