I would like introduce myself and share my personal experiences with you all. My name is Hamad Al-Humaid and I am from Saudi Arabia.
I grew up in Tabuk, northwest Saudi Arabia. I have been fortunate enough to have experienced a deaf education, from primary through to completing my high school qualifications. Due to the lack of opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the decision was made for me to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, America, where I majored in Political Science (Track on International Politics) and graduated in 2011. As many of you will know, Gallaudet University is the only university in the world for Deaf and hard of hearing students, including hearing students who know American Sign Language well. The university employs a bilingual education method (English and American Sign Language). I loved my time there and learned so much, both educationally and socially.
After my studies, I returned to Saudi Arabia, where I now work as an Assistant Legal Advisor at Farabi Petrochemicals Company (FPC), located in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. My job in the company is to assist the legal advisor and to review, analyze, support, and make suggestions on legal matters such as: company policy, business contracts, business agreements, commercial and governmental regulations, as well as providing professional advice on various legal matters to general managers and president of the company.
I wear a hearing aids and can lipread, which I do a lot with with hearing people. I use four languages to communicate as a multilingual person (Arabic, English, Saudi Arabian/Arabic Sign Language, and American Sign Language). Also, I hope to learn British Sign Language (BSL) and other languages too in the near future.
In Saudi Arabia, we are in a period of change when it comes to Deaf education. The Ministry of Education established about 13 deaf schools in Saudi Arabia, some of which are good and others are not: for many reasons. The Ministry of Education, however, has now decided it wants to reduce the number of deaf schools and, instead, encourage deaf students to attend mainstream schools. It has stated that it wishes to do this in order to avoid creating an isolated deaf community and to encourage Deaf youths to join both the deaf and hearing worlds. It feels that this is now possible due to advances in technology and the increased opportunities that derive from this. In addition, there are new deaf programs in technology colleges and a few universities which accept qualified deaf and hard of hearing students.
We talk about the ‘Deaf Community’ in Saudi Arabia, but, so far, there has been no research conducted and no evidence shown as to how many deaf and hard of hearing people living in Saudi Arabia. Personally, I assume that we may have more than 90,000 deaf, hard of hearing, and deafened people, covering the whole spectrum of ages and genders.
During my educational life, I faced many challenges, both in Saudi Arabia and America, because of different 
communication methods. Even though these presented challenges for me, I have always felt that I could overcome them due to my ability, and love, of reading. Reading is one of the most important keys of success in my view. I personally read between 4 – 6 hours everyday, for as long as I can remember. I believe that reading can help everyone to be successful in life, no matter the person’s origins, no matter where he comes from, no matter what his native language. Without the ability to read, or a lack of interest, it is very hard for a person to be successful in education. I sometime wonder and ask; How many deaf people around the world can read and write well? No one can answer, but I believe that many deaf people are illiterate due to environmental, economic, and educational reasons. This is reality. I believe that when you read, you expose yourself to new things, to new information, new ways of seeing the world, and new ways to achieve your dreams. Through reading, you understand yourself the world more and get to understand more on a topic which interests you. Being able to read does not make you ‘less Deaf’, nor does it mean that you will not use sign language. I have seen many examples of native signers who are fluent readers. If a bilingual education policy is followed effectively, it is true that your core language skills in sign language can allow you to then gain access to a second language – the written language of your country.
In the future, I hope to see more deaf students who can study in universities inside and outside of Saudi Arabia. I hope to see deaf people around the world having improved standards of professional work and life. I hope to see deaf people understanding their rights and social policies in their countries as Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. I hope to see deaf people who can be successful in professional roles such as writers, teachers, professors, artists, pilots, lawyers and doctors – equal to their hearing peers. I hope to see deaf people having broad opportunities to support their interests. I believe that deaf people can do anything they want to do. We are now in the 21st century, with opportunities and support that our fore-bearers could only dream of. There is no excuse to lie back and accept things how they are. I hope this has given some insight into me, my experiences and my dreams for the Deaf community of Saudi Arabia.
I am pakistani but live in tabuk . My dauter is deaf . she is six year old .i want to admat a deaf school . plz helpe me where are the deaf child school in tabuk .tank you
Dear mr Al-Humaid,saw ur web site posting and read with great interest about the deaf people and family members in your region of your country….. we understand from a visiting student that we conversed with recently, who has deaf family members, are receiving educational opportunites there.he demonstrated some of the different sign language that are used among his family members. We exchanged much information about the deaf peoples and their needs for the most current and relavant educational opportunity,some of the current culture equalities as well as the disparites…..deaf people anywhere can and are a viable valuable human resource..they think the same,dream the same, and have hope for the very same things anyone else has…your people,your government , your full resources appropriatly avalible should and can make full benefit for your deaf population……I would like to add “Rochester institute of technology;NTID to your list of the most resourcefull secondary educational opportunities here in the states…..they have graduated more deaf Master degreed individuals than any other,there many deaf folks @gaulldet that come out with multiple degrees as well..those are the only 2 that I have experience with…. these deaf folks go on to become an integral part of the larger society making their own contribution back to their communities or where ever their life leads them…..last but certainly not least, “home sign” is meant for the “home”, a good,durable,organized functioning sign language regime is called for in the wider public sphere ….. I am quite sure that you and your deaf peoples have many many great things to look foward to . With appropriate resources and time tested proven deaf communications skills brought forward and made avalible,and a willing population with genuine interest….. I know you will not be disappointed….. thank you sir ! !
I’m a deaf undergraduate in Nigeria.You mentioned some schools admitting both deaf and normal students in Saudi Arabia please I want more information on them or any other deaf university in Saudi Arabia.
Dear Khadijah, I am a deaf Nigeria. I obtained my diploma in special education and computer application, Jos. Nigeria. There are some deaf peoples studying university in saudi arabia. Visit google university of jeddah, university of saudi, king saudi university is a good chance but dey could never reply back it to u again. I dislike d king saudi unv.
good evening Mr.hamad i am Pakistani and i work in Riyadh more then 17 years and my family with and i have 4 kids born in Riyadh and two of my kids deaf when he born my son 9 year old and my douter 8 year old this two child deaf and now he need school life so pls mr hamad kindly we need help for this case so tell us what we do pls my child need help my name is shahid khan
my Mobil= 0559955836 thanks
I am living in Jubial Saudia I have one deaf son he is study in Pakistan and I want my family in Saudi Arab I want to know any deaf school in jubail if some body know please inform me .
jazakallaha
Dear Mr Hamad I am married pakistani female, live in pakistan. My husband works in saudia. I have completed Masters in special education , and mt specialization is in hearing and deafness. I want to teach deaf students in saudia. I want to work with deaf students. I am highly motivated hard working lady. I have a experience of 4 years of teaching deaf students. I have a good command on sign language. So if this is possible then give me a chance to work in saudia Thanks……
l am from Pakistan l have work 7 year experience Position in Digital Document Archiving Data Entry Scanning Document.
my is babar not call Speak me deaf hard only .l am looking for a job to will try jobs Saudi Arabia
l have B.A Certification and my is family of Deaf Child 4 only
l can sms +923002410131 only .
i am pakistani.i have done my masters in special education in 2014..i want a job in suadia,,, plz help me to find a teaching job in any school or NGO in sudia.. thanks
I have done level 1 and 2 in British Sign language, signature qualification in the u.k. I have also done my NNEB in child development and early years learning for key stage 1 and 2 just want to know is there a demand for special needs teachers in Saudi Arabia also are there special needs schools or are special needs children integrated in mainstream schools
My Friend son is deaf and need help to take admission in deaf child school in Jeddah.
May any body help me to give me location address for deaf kids school in Jeddah.
Please send address via email.
Thanks,
this article is for a reason. good stuff to learn from this writing. these inspirational stories makes us feel proud.