Kids of Deaf Adults -- what does KODA mean and what does it stand for?
Hearing children under age of 18 of deaf parents who may identify with two cultural identities: Hearing and Deaf.
A hearing child of deaf parent(s) is in the unusual position of being raised within a "Deaf world," but when they become an adult, they are expected to join the "Hearing world"... after all, they are not deaf. The International organization Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) recognizes and promotes the bicultural and bilingual heritage of hearing children of deaf parents, however, this positive dual identity is not often relayed to the young hearing child or to their hearing peers and teachers. Some children may experience confusion about their two worlds and are unsure of who they are or where they’ll fit in when they grow up. As with many youngsters who are establishing their identities, this process requires sensitivity and input from knowledgeable, concerned adults who are aware of the complexities of navigating two very different cultures." (1)
This is where the Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) group comes in the picture. KODA could help young children understand and identify with other kids who also have deaf parents. Hopefully, it will help kodas develop a positive dual identity which includes feeling at ease in both hearing and deaf world and appreciate both cultures, being Deaf and Hearing.
A group like KODA plays an important role for these young kids under the age 18 years old. Kids who come from deaf families often face issues such as having to interpet for their deaf parents, putting up with ignorance from hearing people who absolutely know nothing about deafness, putting one foot in the deaf world and another foot in the hearing world, using sign language that most of their friends/peers do not know how to use, and some other issues. A group like KODA is equally important for a kid coming from a deaf family to find something that shares similar experience and background and to be alike in many ways and to share a common bond with other kids as well as their deaf parents.
In our non-profit organization, Maryland Metro KODA, we strive to provide various fun activities for families, offer workshops for parents to help their children with the dual identity process, and most of all, to form an unity between hearing kids and deaf parents in a group setting.
Our past activities have included fall festival pumpkin farm gathering, our traditional holiday party, ice skating party, and annual summer picnic gathering. We also participated and set up a fun family activity for kodas at Maryland Deaf Festival few years ago.
Click here for more information on events conducted by MMKODA. We also conducted events and workshops led by someone not part of MMKODA committee. In the past, we had offered workshops that were led by Sherry Duhon, Sheila Jacobs, Tammy Weiner, and Liz Katz/Lynda Meyers which were well attended by parents. Contact Nora Chidlow if you are interested in setting up an event with MMKODA.
Visit back to check our website for events and workshops conducted outside MMKODA. We are very excited to see our MMKODA organization expand and love to have volunteers and committee members to come out and help us plan various activities and workshops!!
Contact us for further details if you are interested. The group keeps growing every year with new activities and workshops for families to enjoy and learn! MMKODA currently has a membership list of over 350 families. There are several active KODA chapters in the country. If you live in Maryland-DC-Virginia area and are interested in being on the distribution list, please contact Jeanine Kamdar.
Resources:
(1) Jenny L. Singleton, Understanding Families: Hearing Students with Deaf Parents in the Deaf Parents and their Hearing Children Packet from the CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) website.
Singleton's Information Packet: coda-international.org/packetcomm.htm
For more Hearing Children Packet, visit coda-international.org/packettoc.htm
CODA's website: coda-international.org/
CODA is an international organization established for the purpose of promoting family awareness and individual growth in adult hearing children of deaf parents. This purpose is accomplished through providing educational opportunities, promoting self-help, organizing advocacy efforts, and acting as a resource for the membership and various communities. Membership is primarily, but not exclusively, composed of adult hearing children of deaf parents. CODA addresses members’ bicultural experiences through conferences, support groups, and resource development.
Contact information: Thomas Bull, CODA National Outreach Coordinator, 8112 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22309; (703) 799-2239 Voice/TTY.