Deaf immigrant finds new home, new languages

Learning a new language is always a challenge. But when Ali Hussain moved to the United States from Pakistan, he needed to learn two languages: English and American Sign Language. Born deaf, Ali had limited access to education in Pakistan. But with the help of the talented Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) staff at Rodriguez High in Fairfield and Solano County Office of Education, Ali says he fees like he’s done “a complete 180.” Ali is the recipient of the ACSA Region 4 Every Student Succeeding award. "He’s very inspiring,” said Katherine Reyes, a DHH teacher at Rodriguez High. “He shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t have language exposure at a young age. You can still do it. If you keep going, then you can succeed. That’s what Ali is embodying. That’s what he’s showing.”