Her biggest life lesson is simple: being deaf does not limit abilities or dreams. It may change the route, but it does not have to change the destination!
She was born deaf. Her principal once told her parents she was doing too well academically to remain in a school for the deaf.
That simple observation that Dolly Asrani was too capable to be kept in one place — became the quiet force behind everything that followed.
Dolly grew up in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and began her schooling at LFC Higher Secondary School for the Deaf in Chennai. She learned to navigate the world through lip reading, Indian Sign Language, American Sign Language which she learnt from her friends in Bangalore, and, above all, determination.
When her principal encouraged her parents to move her into mainstream education, Dolly stepped into spaces that had not been designed with her in mind and found a way to thrive.
From Andhra Pradesh to Bangalore, she completed her SSLC in mainstream education. She went on to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications through APD, a diploma in Airline Travel and Tourism at Mount Carmel (Deemed to be University) , and training in Photoshop and CorelDRAW at Stepping Stones.
The journey wasn't easy. Interviews were challenging, workplaces required constant navigation, and every new environment meant managing miscommunication and proving herself. She faced career setbacks, but she never stopped moving forward and is currently open to new roles.
Today, Dolly Asrani has over 8 years of experience in graphic design, having worked with organizations including GCI Solutions (now Brillio), Societe Generale, VMware, Open Financial Technologies, and Myntra, where she completed the Udaan Design Internship.
She has also received two Spot Awards for her design contributions and event-related creative work. She works with Photoshop, Illustrator, and PowerPoint, while continuing to explore AI tools and new technologies.
She has completed additional training through WinVinaya Foundation and EnAble India, strengthening her professional skills and confidence. Her journey has never been about seeking sympathy, it has been about creating opportunities and proving what she is capable of.
Outside work, Dolly enjoys badminton and travelling. She is married to an IT professional and is a mother to her seventeen-year-old son, Krish. She has built both a career and a family with the same resilience that has defined her journey from the very beginning.
She wants to continue growing as a creative professional, achieve financial independence, and build a better future for her family. More than anything, she wants her story to be visible — so that another deaf child or young professional can see what is possible and believe that every closed door simply means finding another one that opens.
That is Dolly's story. And she is still designing it in her own way!
That simple observation that Dolly Asrani was too capable to be kept in one place — became the quiet force behind everything that followed.
Dolly grew up in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, and began her schooling at LFC Higher Secondary School for the Deaf in Chennai. She learned to navigate the world through lip reading, Indian Sign Language, American Sign Language which she learnt from her friends in Bangalore, and, above all, determination.
When her principal encouraged her parents to move her into mainstream education, Dolly stepped into spaces that had not been designed with her in mind and found a way to thrive.
From Andhra Pradesh to Bangalore, she completed her SSLC in mainstream education. She went on to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications through APD, a diploma in Airline Travel and Tourism at Mount Carmel (Deemed to be University) , and training in Photoshop and CorelDRAW at Stepping Stones.
The journey wasn't easy. Interviews were challenging, workplaces required constant navigation, and every new environment meant managing miscommunication and proving herself. She faced career setbacks, but she never stopped moving forward and is currently open to new roles.
Today, Dolly Asrani has over 8 years of experience in graphic design, having worked with organizations including GCI Solutions (now Brillio), Societe Generale, VMware, Open Financial Technologies, and Myntra, where she completed the Udaan Design Internship.
She has also received two Spot Awards for her design contributions and event-related creative work. She works with Photoshop, Illustrator, and PowerPoint, while continuing to explore AI tools and new technologies.
She has completed additional training through WinVinaya Foundation and EnAble India, strengthening her professional skills and confidence. Her journey has never been about seeking sympathy, it has been about creating opportunities and proving what she is capable of.
Outside work, Dolly enjoys badminton and travelling. She is married to an IT professional and is a mother to her seventeen-year-old son, Krish. She has built both a career and a family with the same resilience that has defined her journey from the very beginning.
She wants to continue growing as a creative professional, achieve financial independence, and build a better future for her family. More than anything, she wants her story to be visible — so that another deaf child or young professional can see what is possible and believe that every closed door simply means finding another one that opens.
That is Dolly's story. And she is still designing it in her own way!
This story was told by Dolly Asrani and published with their permission by the What's Your Story editorial team.
