Children of Deaf Adults, INC.
CODA was officially founded in 1983 as a result of research I did as a graduate student at Gallaudet University. I sent out the first CODA introductory newsletter and coined the term “CODA – Children of Deaf Adults” referring to hearing offspring of Deaf parent(s). Research has shown that approximately 90% of the children born to Deaf parents are hearing. I was one of them and set out to organize our widely dispersed group. My life was full of constant movement between Deaf and hearing worlds. I felt comfortable in both but not fully immersed in either. The CODA world would become my third option where I felt balance between my Deaf and hearing cultural experiences. Warm CODA Regards, Millie Brother
We are a non-profit volunteer organisation known globally as CODA International. We were founded in the USA back in 1983 and we have grown internationally ever since, having hosted 5 of our Annual Conferences outside of the United States of America. CODA International aims to partner with Coda and Deaf organisations around the world to assist in our mission of celebrating the unique heritage and multicultural identities of adult hearing individuals with deaf parent(s). We strive to achieve this mission via conferences, retreats, publications, scholarships, resource development and fundraising to enrich the experience of Codas. Having personally joined CODA as a member back in 2013, my journey progressed quickly joining the Board in 2014, the Executive Board in 2015 whilst also assuming the position of Conference Chair in 2015. Now, as President, I look forward to working with the Board and you as the membership to guide the organisation to the future, bringing the 2020 Strategic Plan to fruition. Here at CODA International we are excited for the future and we look forward to facilitating the growth of the organisation at all levels from the Board right through to the Membership. As a Brit, I’m excited to bring CODA International to those outside of the United States of America and vice-versa. So, here’s to looking forward to 2017/18 and another successful year for CODA International. Welcome once again, and if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or any of the Board of Directors. Hope to see you in Providence, Rhode Island, USA at our next Conference. Ray Williams CODA International President president@coda-international.org |