Final answer:
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet co-founded the first school for the Deaf in America, depicted by a memorial statue in Washington D.C., symbolizing the educational advancements for the deaf community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The co-founder of the first school for the Deaf in America was Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. This was reinforced by a bronze memorial statue in Washington D.C., which depicts Dr. Gallaudet seated next to Alice Cogswell, spelling the letter 'a' using sign language. This act symbolizes the adoption of a revolutionary method of education for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Gallaudet's contribution to education and deaf culture was monumental, providing a space where deaf students could learn and communicate effectively in a way that had not been available before in the United States.