In today's society, the diversity and richness of the hearing-impaired community continues to increase, especially the existence of the role of "Children of Deaf Adults" (CODA), which makes the ecology of this group more diverse. For richness. These children build a bridge between the hearing world and the hearing world. Their unique living background makes them the carriers of two cultures, which fosters a deeper understanding and identity.
According to statistics, approximately 90% of CODAs are hearing, but their life experiences are very different from those of their hearing peers. The existence of CODA increases the diversity of the hearing community because they enable two-way communication and promote mutual understanding and inclusion between the hearing and deaf communities. Many CODAs learn sign language from a young age, allowing them to move freely between two cultures.
“CODA’s identity allows them to find their place in both worlds. This unique bicultural background enables them to understand and translate the needs and expectations of both the hearing-impaired and hearing societies.”
Although CODA has unique advantages, they also face many challenges. First, if spoken language is not used in the family, it may lead to delays in language acquisition for CODA listeners. This process is often accompanied by a heavy psychological burden, and many CODAs may have to take on the role of a bridge of communication between their parents and the outside world.
"In this case, CODA will become an interpreter for the parents, which not only puts psychological pressure on the children, but also may prevent them from enjoying their childhood normally."
To support CODA's growth, many non-profit organizations such as CODA were established in 1983, and related gatherings around the world provide a platform for them to communicate with each other. These organizations not only help CODA understand their own identity, but also provide educational resources, such as specialized summer camps and workshops, so that they can share and hear each other's stories.
As CODA became more active, they began to exert influence on cultural and social levels. For example, many famous CODAs have not only made outstanding contributions in the fields of art and politics, but also played an important role in promoting the recognition of deaf culture and sign language.
"Through their efforts, hearing-impaired culture has gained wider recognition, adding to the diversity of the community."
Looking to the future, CODA’s presence will continue to enrich the cultural fabric of the hearing-impaired community, and their experiences and perspectives will help enhance society’s understanding and respect for the hearing-impaired. As society becomes more tolerant of multiculturalism, support and awareness of CODA will continue to deepen. This is not only a recognition of the hearing-impaired community, but also a cherishment of the cultural diversity of mankind as a whole.
While pondering these questions, we can also ask ourselves: In this increasingly diverse society, how can we better understand and support children who walk between two worlds?