CODA Sweden
The first CODA conference in Sweden took place in spring 2001. The participants at the conference agreed that there was a clear need for a CODA Sweden-organisation. And now CODA Sweden is a fact!
Anyone who has at least one deaf parent and is over 18 years is welcome as an active member. Others are free to become supporting members.
The organization is not committed in any political or religious way.
“CODA Sweden” is the international name (CODA= Children Of Deaf Adults).
The Swedish name is “Föreningen Hörande Barn till Döva”.
In sign language the name is signed ‘pi’ (which in Swedish Sign Language (SSL) stands for something that is real/genuine).
Our symbol is the Greek letter P. It symbolizes us being a bridge between the deaf and the hearing world, and how we stand with one leg in each culture.
There are many life experiences within our group. For example: Some uses SSL fluently, whereas other CODAs have not used SSL in dialogue with family members. The reason is sometimes that their parents have been told that sign language could have bad influence on the development of speech (This group often reads SSL better than they sign SSL).
Our hearts hold the hearing culture as well as the deaf. But we also have our own culture with brothers and sisters all over the world.
CODA Sweden is active in making it possible for members in Sweden to meet; exchange experiences and develop together.
We want to serve as models for kids of deaf adults (KODAs).
By supporting deaf people’s interests in society, we will get support in our roles as relatives (e.g. within areas as geriatric care, health care, interpreting issues and civic service).
Our competence within the deaf area should be respected and we are positive to more research about CODA/KODA:s. We also want to spread (for us) important information to the hearing and the deaf society.
