About Us

At Deaf Can Foundation, our journey began with a profound purpose – to support and empower the deaf community, a community of which our co-founder and CEO, Mrs. Priti Shah Soni, is a proud member. Behind her title lies a story of resilience and determination. Growing up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, alongside a deaf sister and deaf parents, Priti learned the power of non-verbal communication. However, she soon realized that life demanded more than gestures and actions. Education became her path to empowerment.

Priti and her sister attended school for deaf children in Indore. The education system had limitations, with a significant communication gap between teachers and students. This experience ignited Priti’s desire to learn and teach more effectively.

Life was not without challenges; accessing healthcare was often a struggle. However, Priti’s determination led her to overcome these hurdles.

After completing high school in 2006, while her sister chose marriage, Priti embarked on a different journey. She started teaching kindergarten children using sign language, igniting their enthusiasm for learning. Her passion for teaching continued as she ventured into slum areas, teaching deaf children in a local garden every Sunday for two years.

Encouraged by parents of these children, Priti contemplated establishing an educational institution to serve the underserved. While this was a noble cause, it was also a tremendous responsibility.

She briefly pursued a private job and even received a government job offer, but her heart remained dedicated to serving the deaf community. The idea of a school for the deaf persisted.

In November 2009, Priti and her schoolmates – Chinki Jain, Mohini Mittal and Nivedita Joshi discussed the possibility of starting an institute. They were determined to make a difference, although they were unsure about the intricacies of managing an organization.

Seeking guidance, they turned to Mr. Saju Stephens, then General Secretary of the Bhopal Deaf Association, who advised them to explore Hyderabad for answers. Priti underwent four months of training at the Deaf Enabled Foundation in Hyderabad, gaining valuable insights.

After her training, Priti returned to Bhopal, joined the Bhopal Deaf Association for two years, and pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at Bhopal University. Equipped with knowledge and experience, she, along with her friends, founded Deaf Can Foundation on June 15, 2011.

Their motivation was not external pressure but a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the deaf. They resolved to be a platform accessible to all, to provide opportunities for personal growth regardless of disability. Their mission: to empower individuals to realize they are differently abled, not disabled.”