Deaf Community Advocacy Network

What Deaf Community Advocacy Network does

Deaf Community Advocacy Network (DEAF C.A.N.!) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1981 and headquartered at 2111 Orchard Lake Road #101, Sylvan Lake, Michigan. It delivers a comprehensive suite of culturally and linguistically Deaf-competent services to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals across six southeastern Michigan counties (Oakland, Monroe, Livingston, Macomb, Saint Clair, and Washtenaw). The portfolio includes direct case management, outpatient behavioral health (individual, couples, family, group therapy, and substance abuse counseling), senior citizen services, HIV case management, domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy through the PAH! program, the Professional Development Center (which hosts NIC interpreter certification exams and continuing-education workshops), and an Interpreting Services arm that dispatches over 50 state- or nationally-certified ASL interpreters into medical, legal, educational, and workplace settings. Complementary programs include the Joel Spishak Education Fund scholarship, iCanConnect assistive-technology distribution for DeafBlind clients, an online video interview series on mental health, and annual community events such as Deaf Celebration Day and the Feel the Music 5K Walk.

The organization's core technology is human capital: full-time ASL-fluent caseworkers, licensed clinicians, and program coordinators who deliver services in clients' native language and cultural context, supplemented by a contracted interpreter network. Differentiators include being the only Oakland County agency offering casework assistance from full-time ASL-fluent staff, and culturally specific programming (HIV, DV/SA, DeafBlind, seniors) that hearing-led agencies cannot replicate at equivalent quality. Compliance posture includes Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and UserWay-enabled WCAG 2.1 web accessibility.

Revenue is a diversified nonprofit mix: federal and state pass-through grants (Older Americans Act via Area Agency on Aging 1-B, Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act via Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion), foundation and corporate support (United Way for Southeastern Michigan), individual donations (including via Kroger Community Rewards), fee-based interpreter services with a two-hour minimum and specialty/after-hours/mileage surcharges, low-cost cultural competency training, and event sponsorships. Survivor services are provided free of charge. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer — in-office service delivery, videophone/TTY access, community referrals, plus institutional channels through county aging-services partnerships, the Detroit Public Schools interpreting contract, and Michigan Medicine/Dexter Health Center.

Name

Deaf Community Advocacy Network

Legal name

Deaf Community Advocacy Network

Website

https://deafcan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DEAF C.A.N.! is a 1981-founded nonprofit delivering ASL-fluent case management, behavioral health, senior, HIV, and DV/SA services, plus interpreter dispatch, to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals across southeastern Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Deaf advocacy services
• Sign language interpreting
• Behavioral health counseling
• Community case management
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sylvan Lake

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Partially supported by generous donations from individuals, community organizations, corporations and foundations. Also receives grants including Federal Older Americans Act and Michigan Aging and Adult Services Agency funding through Area Agency on Aging 1-B.
2. Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act Funding: The Deaf HIV Program operates through a grant with the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act.
3. Interpreter Services Fees: Professional sign language interpreting services provided for medical appointments, legal proceedings, community events. Includes two-hour minimum payment, specialty assignment fees, after-hours fees, and mileage charges.
4. Membership and Donations: Accepts tax-deductible contributions from individuals and community members. Kroger Community Rewards program participation available.
5. Sponsorships: Deaf Celebration Day events funded through sponsors including Platinum, Gold, and Bronze sponsors.
6. Low-Cost Interpreting for Agencies: Provides low-cost ASL interpreting services to agencies along with free cultural competency trainings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DEAF C.A.N.! is a nonprofit organization that provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community in southeastern Michigan. Its core offerings include behavioral health therapy, case management, the Deaf HIV Program, domestic violence and sexual assault (PAH!) survivor services, senior citizen services, and professional sign language interpreting delivered through ASL-fluent staff and a network of 50+ certified interpreters in medical, legal, educational, and community settings.

Product overview

Deaf Community Advocacy Network (DEAF C.A.N.!) is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 providing a comprehensive array of services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in southeastern Michigan. The organization operates multiple interconnected programs including Behavioral Health Services (outpatient therapy and substance abuse counseling), Services for Senior Citizens (case management and care coordination), The Deaf HIV Program (case management for those living with HIV), PAH! (domestic violence and sexual assault survivor services), Professional Development Center (ASL interpreter training and NIC exam center), Interpreting Services (contracted professional interpreters), Direct Service/Case Management, iCanConnect (assistive technology for DeafBlind individuals), Deaf HEAL & Shield, The Joel Spishak Education Fund (scholarships), Online Interview Video Series (mental health education), and community events including Deaf Celebration Day, Feel the Music 5K Walk, and Deaf Mental Health Awareness Day. The organization serves as a central hub providing advocacy, direct client services, community education, and resources for individuals and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 100 Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals receive monthly assistance at the office
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Oakland County, MichiganminorOthersCounty partner for senior citizen services including Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Southfield and surrounding areas.
• Macomb County, MichiganminorOthersCounty partner for senior citizen services including Eastpointe, Roseville, Sterling Heights, Warren.
• Washtenaw County, MichiganminorOthersCounty partner for senior citizen services including Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti.
• Global Interpreting ServicemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Sponsor for Deaf Celebration Day 2025.
• iCanConnect National ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program providing equipment and training to people with significant combined hearing and vision loss. DEAF C.A.N.! is a national partner along with CAC.
• Kroger CommunityRewards ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity support program where shoppers can designate DEAF C.A.N.! to receive donations. ID #84737.
• Crisis Text LineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health resource partner for Deaf community crisis support.
• Michigan Medicine / University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for HIV/AIDS care and general health services. Leslie Pertz provides services at Dexter Health Center within Michigan Medicine system.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): NAD is the premier civil rights advocacy organization for the deaf and hard of hearing community in the U.S. It shares advocacy and community empowerment missions with DEAF C.A.N.! but does not deliver direct social or health services.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): HLAA is the leading consumer advocacy organization for people with hearing loss, providing education, support, and advocacy. Comparable in mission orientation to DEAF C.A.N.! but focused on hard-of-hearing consumers and national advocacy rather than direct service delivery.
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID): RID is the national professional membership organization for sign language interpreters, setting certification standards. DEAF C.A.N.!'s Professional Development Center (a NIC exam hosting site) and interpreter coordination functions are adjacent to RID's certification and training role.

Broad incumbents

• Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): CSD is one of the largest deaf-serving nonprofits in the U.S., offering interpreting, advocacy, employment, and social services nationally. It overlaps with DEAF C.A.N.! on case management, interpreting referral, and community advocacy but operates at significantly greater scale.
• Purple Communications: Purple Communications provides VRS, video remote interpreting, and on-site interpreting services nationwide. Comparable to DEAF C.A.N.!'s professional interpreting services but at much larger scale and with proprietary technology infrastructure.
• Sorenson Communications: Sorenson is the dominant U.S. provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) and on-site interpreting, directly comparable to DEAF C.A.N.!'s interpreter referral business but operating nationally with a technology-forward platform.

Direct peers

• Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA): DCARA is a California-based nonprofit providing case management, interpreting, advocacy, and behavioral health services to the deaf community. Closely comparable to DEAF C.A.N.! in service mix, mission, and operating model, though serving a different region.
• Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services - Houston (DHHS): DHHS Houston is a regional nonprofit delivering case management, interpreting, advocacy, and behavioral health services to the deaf community in the Houston area. Closely comparable in service scope, mission, and operating model to DEAF C.A.N.!.
• HASA (Hearing and Speech Agency): HASA is a Maryland-based nonprofit providing interpreting, case management, behavioral health, and accessibility services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Strongly comparable service portfolio and operating model to DEAF C.A.N.!, though geographically distinct.

Regional players

• Michigan Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (DODDBHH): The state of Michigan's dedicated deaf services agency provides information, referral, advocacy, and interpreter coordination statewide. Overlaps with DEAF C.A.N.! in interpreting referral and advocacy but operates as a government entity with broader statewide scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/deafcan2
• Instagraminstagram.com/deafcan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deaf-can

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deaf Community Advocacy Network