Brett Lee visits TEACH to support higher education opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth

The former Australian cricketer met students and educators at the Mumbai campus, highlighting the importance of inclusive education and career pathways for Deaf and Hard of Hearing learners.

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee visited TEACH, a non profit institute in Mumbai that supports Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth through higher education, skills training and employment opportunities.
Lee toured the campus and met with TEACH Co Founders Aman Sharma and Deepesh Nair, who shared the organisation’s journey from management consulting to establishing an institution focused on expanding access to higher education and careers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

The visit also included interactions with students enrolled in TEACH’s programmes, which combine academic education with practical training in accounting, information technology, management information systems, design, Indian Sign Language and written English. The institute also supports students through corporate internships and placements across sectors including accounting, human resources, sales and administration.
Lee’s visit reflected a personal connection to hearing advocacy. In 2011, his son Preston experienced temporary hearing loss following a serious accident, an experience that later led Lee to work as a Global Hearing Ambassador for Cochlear, promoting early hearing detection and access to hearing care for children.

Speaking during the visit, Brett Lee said, “My experience with my son’s hearing loss made me understand how profoundly hearing can shape a child’s life. Visiting TEACH, I saw an institution that is ensuring that being Deaf or Hard of Hearing does not define what a young person can achieve. These students are gaining the education, skills, confidence and job roles to build careers and shape their own futures. That is incredibly powerful.”
Aman Sharma, Co Founder, TEACH, said, “Brett Lee has inspired millions through his passion, discipline, and sportsmanship. Those are the very values we strive to instil in every student at TEACH. It is an honour to welcome Brett to our campus, and we hope together we can champion inclusion, empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, and demonstrate that excellence belongs to everyone.”

During the visit, Lee also interacted with TEACH students who compete at state and national level sporting events, highlighting the role of sports in confidence building and personal development.
The programme also included a meeting with members of Social Venture Partners India, which has supported TEACH through mentoring and organisational development over the past three years.

Govind Iyer, Chairperson, SVP India and Board Member, SVP International, said, “At SVP India, we believe that lasting social change is created when purpose, partnerships and people come together. Brett Lee’s visit to TEACH is a powerful affirmation that inclusion deserves a global platform. TEACH has demonstrated that with the right ecosystem, Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth can excel in higher education, careers and leadership. We are proud to support institutions that are redefining what is possible and creating pathways for every young person to realise their full potential.”
TEACH currently operates campuses in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi, with an expanding presence in Vadodara and Kolkata, offering educational and career development programmes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth.

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