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

  1. Technology
  2. Advocacy and Outreach
  3. Legal Services
  4. Education

To ensure technological advancements that will not further isolate the deaf community (i.e., voice automated services) and safeguard funds earmarked for Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) and other related services.

The digital gap still exists in the Deaf community. Approximately 70% of Deaf and hard of hearing community do not own computer. About 10% Deaf persons are using popular videophones in the U.S.

There is lacking information about "how to" install Videophone, High Speed Internet and router, and to resolve a major issue such as digital versus analog captions during Digital TV transition and High Definition TVs.

There is an an inadequate emergency system for the Deaf community relating to Enhanced 911, and wireless pagers.


  • Technology
  • Advocacy and Outreach
  • Legal Services
  • Education