Parents & Families

Every Family Has a Story. Every CODA Deserves a Community.

Celebrating Deaf families. Supporting connections. Building friendships.

Welcome to the Parents & Families community at CODA UK & Ireland!

Every family is unique, and that's something we believe should be celebrated.

Whether you're a Deaf parent raising hearing children, a hearing parent in a Deaf family, a grandparent, carer or someone supporting a young CODA, we're glad you've found us.

At CODA UK & Ireland, we're passionate about bringing Children of Deaf Adults together, creating opportunities for friendships, shared experiences and a positive sense of identity.

We know that families communicate in different ways, have different traditions and bring their own wonderful experiences to the world.

Whatever your family looks like, we're here to celebrate those differences and help you discover the opportunities available within our CODA community.

Every CODA's Journey Is Different

Growing up with one or more Deaf parents can be a unique and enriching experience.

Some children grow up using sign language as part of everyday family life. Others communicate through speech, a mixture of languages or different methods that work for their family.

Some are surrounded by Deaf friends and family members, while others may not know many people outside their immediate family who share similar experiences.

And while many CODAs feel a strong connection to Deaf culture from a young age, others may discover more about their identity as they grow older.

There's no single way to be a CODA, and there's no single way to be a Deaf family.

At CODA UK & Ireland, we believe children should have the freedom to explore their own identities, celebrate their family experiences and discover what being a CODA means to them.

Most importantly, we want every young CODA to know that they're part of a wider community of people who may understand some of their experiences.

Supporting Your Child's CODA Identity

As children grow, they naturally begin exploring who they are, where they belong and what makes their families unique.

For CODAs, this may include thinking about their connections to Deaf and hearing communities, the languages used within their family and the experiences that shape their everyday lives.

Some children may have lots of questions, while others may not think very much about being a CODA at all.

Both are completely normal.

There's no need for children to identify with a particular community, use sign language or feel a certain way about their family experiences.

What matters is giving them opportunities to explore their identity in a positive, supportive environment.

Every family has its own languages, traditions, memories and ways of communicating.

Sharing those experiences with pride can help children understand and celebrate their family identity.

Where possible, giving children opportunities to meet other CODAs can help them build friendships and develop a sense of belonging.

Children may have questions about Deafness, sign language, family experiences or situations they encounter at school.

Listening openly and allowing children to express their feelings can help them feel understood.

Like all young people, CODAs deserve opportunities to play, learn, develop independence and enjoy childhood.

While children may naturally help their families in different ways, they shouldn't be expected to take responsibility for interpreting important adult conversations or managing situations beyond their age and understanding.

Professional interpreting support should be used for important conversations where it is needed.

Every CODA deserves to feel valued as a child first, while being proud of the family and community they're part of.

Connecting Families Across the UK & Ireland

CODA UK & Ireland isn't just about bringing individual CODAs together. We also recognise the important role families play in helping our community grow.

We hope to continue strengthening connections between families, sharing experiences and creating more opportunities for young CODAs to meet others.

Whether you've been involved in the Deaf community for many years or are only just discovering the wider CODA community, you're welcome here.

We believe that celebrating Deaf families, recognising children's individual experiences and supporting positive community connections can help future generations of CODAs feel confident and proud of who they are.

Discover CODA Camp!

One of the ways we bring young CODAs together is through our much-loved CODA Camp.

CODA Camp provides opportunities for children and young people to spend time with others who have Deaf parents, enjoy exciting activities, try new experiences and build friendships.

For some children, it may be their first opportunity to spend time with a larger group of CODAs.

Camp isn't about expecting children to talk about their family experiences or explain their identity. It's about having fun, making friends and enjoying being part of a community where those experiences are understood.

Whether your child is naturally outgoing or takes a little longer to settle into new environments, we want every young person to feel welcome and included.

If you're interested in learning more about CODA Camp, including who can attend, what happens during camp and how to register your interest, we'd love you to explore our dedicated camp page.

Find out more about Coda Camp

Your Family Is Part of Our Community

Perhaps your child has never met another CODA before.

Maybe they've attended CODA Camp and are already asking when they can return.

Or perhaps you're simply curious about the organisation and what opportunities might be available for your family.

Wherever you're starting from, we'd love to welcome you.

CODA UK & Ireland is a community built on friendship, shared experiences, understanding and celebrating the families that make us who we are.

Every family has a story. Every child deserves to belong. And there's always room for you in our community.

Resources for Parents and Families

We want families to have access to information and resources that celebrate CODA experiences and support children's understanding of their identities.

Whether you're looking for ways to help your child connect with other CODAs, exploring Deaf culture or simply hoping to understand more about experiences other families may share, our resources are here to help.

You can explore information and activities covering:

  • Understanding the CODA experience
  • Supporting your child's identity and confidence
  • Deaf culture, sign languages and family communication
  • Friendships, schools and growing up
  • Emotional wellbeing and family experiences
  • Activities and resources for young CODAs

We also have a dedicated Young CODAs page where children can discover activities, printable resources and more about being part of the CODA community.

Young CODA's

Parent and Family Resources

Understanding Your Childs CODA Identity (pdf)

Download

CODAs and Family Interpreting (pdf)

Download

Growing Up in Deaf and Hearing Communities (pdf)

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Supporting Emotional Wellbeing (pdf)

Download

Supporting Your CODA at School (pdf)

Download

Parent example for Deaf parents to teachers (docx)

Download