About CAN

The Communication Advocacy Network Corporation (CAN) was incorporated on April 29, 2005 in Connecticut as a non-profit charitable organization to address the rights and needs of Deaf, Hard-of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and Late Deafened children and adults from all walks of life. CAN's primary purpose is to advocate for the D/deaf and ensure those services most citizens take for granted are accessible to all citizens.

Mission Statement

"To provide a centralized statewide agency with auxiliary support services for deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, and persons with hearing losses, regardless of race, age, and gender such that they can be provided opportunities to succeed in areas of employment; education; housing; economics; and independence; and also, be provided legal and fair judicial representation which are seldom provided. Such opportunities and legal rights are currently not obtainable or are being denied."

CAN Board of Directors

CAN Corporation have up to 9 directors in accordance with the bylaws. The qualifications of the Board of the Directors have an interest in the rights, advocacy and quality of life in the deaf community; must be proficient with American Sign Language, and must be deaf and hard of hearing in order to maintain a majority of the board's authority.

Cassandra Boryslawskyj, Chair

Michael Fiorino, Vice-Chair

Juan Guzman, Treasurer

Mary Mester, Secretary

Dr. Harvey Corson, Board Director

CAN's Initial Goals

For those who have faced unfair discriminatory practices in housing, employment, schools, civic functions, banks, judicial proceedings and others.employers, businesses, state and federal agencies, law enforcement, courts, legislature, and schools to ensure interaction with deaf citizens and their civil rights.

Deaf people and people with hearing losses cannot afford to pay "extra" for legal services because of communication access including interpreters in depositions, consultations and general appointments.

There are no provisions and legal procedures for handling Deaf people with Miranda Warning or upon the time of arrest or to be placed in the Correctional Facilities.