If you are a not-yet-grown-up hearing kid of a deaf parent, there is an organization just for you! It is called Kids of Deaf Adults, or KODA. It used to be a national organization, but is today more local than national.
Why have KODA?
Why have an organization like KODA? My children are deaf, so I will never confront the issues associated with being deaf and having a hearing child. For example, some deaf people I know who have hearing children, have expressed wishes that their children would sign more. KODA provides a social outlet for the hearing children of deaf parents.
Typical KODA activities include holiday parties, picnics, etc. Maryland has a large KODA chapter. An About visitor informed me that although there is no KODA chapter in Cincinnatti, there is an annual KODA camp in Cincinnatti. There is also reportedly a KODA chapter in New York.
KODA, Not CODA
KODA is often confused with its sister organization, CODA. CODA stands for children of deaf adults, and it is for the grown-up children, while KODA is for the children while they are young.
Join KODA
People who wish to start KODA chapters in their area can get more information from the KODA Resource Desk website. The resource desk offers a start-up kit.
An About visitor e-mailed to say "Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Mobile Regional Center have new program for KODA at Preschool with Deaf children."
KODAs and Deaf Children
KODAs are increasingly being integrated with deaf children, in the classroom and in summer camps. When I asked why KODAs were attending the same summer camp for the deaf as my kids, the deaf parents with hearing children explained to me that sending their hearing children to camp with deaf children was one way to encourage the hearing children to maintain or improve their signing skills. Plus, more schools and programs for the deaf are welcoming hearing siblings of deaf children attending the schools.
