In 2012, he started working with a Community Inclusion Specialist to accomplish his goals. Ali wanted to find a job and was excited to work with our staff. Ali became more confident in the new skills he was learning and wanted to accomplish more with the assistance of our staff.
The Community Inclusion Specialist coordinated meetups with other consumers to go to baseball games and other events. "Attending these events helped everyone live in and take part in their community," Ali shared
These community events impacted Ali’s life and drove him to be a self-advocate.
During this time, Ali started school at Wake Tech, found a job, and learned how to drive. In 2018, the Executive Director recognized Ali's leadership qualities and suggested he apply for Alliance's board of directors.
Ali applied and was voted in, which gave him a chance to be part of a network of other disability community leaders and inspired him to lead his group in the community.
Shortly after becoming a board member, he started a community group called Deaf Coffee & ASL Chat in Apex. He hosts this event once a month for people who are either deaf or hard of hearing to have a place to meet up and provide peer support. This community has been important for people with disabilities.
Ali said, "everyone who comes to the meetings gets to be around other people who have gone through similar struggles. Joining deaf chat has let other people learn new skills and develop confidence in themselves."
