|
CODA UK & Ireland - Children of Deaf Adults
The organisation is now a Community Interest Company (CIC) run by a Board of Directors and volunteers, aiming to provide support, information and guidance to CODAs, their families and the wider community, including professionals, Deaf parents, students and researchers, by planning events, activities and developing projects. The activities are not restricted to a specific age group, nor a specific geographical location, but mainly within the UK and Ireland. |
|
|
|
We have connections with Deaf Organisations nationally and CODA organisations across the globe advocating awareness within D/deaf and hearing communities, educating on important issues, as well as providing opportunities for likeminded individuals to come together promoting individual growth in hearing children of deaf parents. We are able to sign post to relevant specialist organisations. There has been a gradual increase in the research, recognition and support of the unique bilingual and bicultural status of CODAs, and their place between two worlds, the Deaf and the Hearing, both nationally and internationally. |
90% of Deaf parents have hearing children and many grow up using British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL) at home with their family, and English with their hearing peers at school. There are countless benefits identified with being a CODA, but it is also the case that many have experienced issues that remain with them into adulthood. This may be bullying in school due to their parents being different, or displaying Deaf cultural traits that single them out from their peer group. They may overachieve to meet expectations or disprove attitudes from mainstream society. They might strive to fit in with their peer group and push boundaries because they want to fit in with them.
There might be a power imbalance in the family with the child taking charge of situations, which tends to occur because the family has found themselves in a situation where there is a communication barrier, and the child becomes the interpreter, with both parties unaware of the affect this can have on the family dynamics and on the child themselves. It could be that none of the above are experienced.The activities we organise provide opportunities for social interaction, sharing stories and peer support, with the intention of emphasising that the individual CODA is not alone in what they are experiencing and allowing individuals to learn about themselves and find new ways of dealing with unresolved issues or come to terms with the circumstances in which they find themselves.
We can also provide CODAs and their families with information, in various formats, whether that by via electronic means e.g. website and email, or in person whilst at events such as our annual conferences or consultations, which we have successfully held in the past.
As the CODA experience varies with each individual according to various factors, including family dynamics and societal attitudes, we feel that having an organisation where the board of directors is entirely constituted of CODAs themselves, not only gives a unique empathetic role to the organisation, but also enables the information that we provide to be differentiated making use of each directors personal experiences therefore being more able to tailor the information we provide according to the needs and circumstances of those individuals.
There is already a sense of pride, affection and a desire to provide for future generations of Deaf parents and their hearing children.
As an organisation we hope to achieve a greater awareness of CODAs within the community and raise the profile of the organisation. We wish to promote positive attitudes, inclusion and opportunities for individuals to celebrate their heritage and this unique group.
There might be a power imbalance in the family with the child taking charge of situations, which tends to occur because the family has found themselves in a situation where there is a communication barrier, and the child becomes the interpreter, with both parties unaware of the affect this can have on the family dynamics and on the child themselves. It could be that none of the above are experienced.The activities we organise provide opportunities for social interaction, sharing stories and peer support, with the intention of emphasising that the individual CODA is not alone in what they are experiencing and allowing individuals to learn about themselves and find new ways of dealing with unresolved issues or come to terms with the circumstances in which they find themselves.
We can also provide CODAs and their families with information, in various formats, whether that by via electronic means e.g. website and email, or in person whilst at events such as our annual conferences or consultations, which we have successfully held in the past.
As the CODA experience varies with each individual according to various factors, including family dynamics and societal attitudes, we feel that having an organisation where the board of directors is entirely constituted of CODAs themselves, not only gives a unique empathetic role to the organisation, but also enables the information that we provide to be differentiated making use of each directors personal experiences therefore being more able to tailor the information we provide according to the needs and circumstances of those individuals.
There is already a sense of pride, affection and a desire to provide for future generations of Deaf parents and their hearing children.
As an organisation we hope to achieve a greater awareness of CODAs within the community and raise the profile of the organisation. We wish to promote positive attitudes, inclusion and opportunities for individuals to celebrate their heritage and this unique group.
|
Any income generated from CODA UK and Ireland will be used to sustain the organisation and develop further activities and services, so that they might then go on to benefit more individuals and future generations.
Contact us for copies of our policies and procedures including Health and Safety, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities. Feel free to browse the website, email us with a question or to make a contribution to the organisation, in any way you can, and do consider becoming a member, it's free, open to everyone, and will help us to keep you up to date with news and events! |
|
