Mother Father Deaf Day 2023: Mother Father Deaf Day is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of April to honour deaf parents and codas (hearing offspring of deaf parents). This year’s date is April 30. It is much more common than you might imagine for deaf parents to have hearing children. In fact, 90% of deaf parents have offspring with normal hearing. This indicates that the community of offspring of deaf adults (codas) is much larger than previously believed. This holiday was established to honour this community and both the parents and children living in such circumstances.
HISTORY OF MOTHER FATHER DEAF DAY
We prefer to view deafness as a disability or, in some cases, a disease; however, deaf people do not view themselves in this way. The majority of deaf community members view deafness as a distinct way of life, which we believe is a more accurate description of the condition. If you concur, consider how different the lives of hearing children born to deaf parents may be.
You may be surprised to learn that this phenomenon (deaf parents with hearing children) exists, and it’s fair to assume that you’re not alone. The fact that approximately 90 percent of deaf parents have hearing children suggests that it is not necessarily a hereditary trait, given the numerous exceptions.
Conversations between Socrates and his students around the fifth century B.C. are the earliest evidence of sign language. In the 17th century, manual alphabets were devised and deaf education was established. Since then, numerous colleges and universities for the deaf have been established.
Millie Brother devised the term children of deaf adults (coda) or kids of deaf adults (koda) to refer to children under the age of 18 born to one or more deaf parents. Additionally, he founded the CODA organisation, which aimed to create a community for people with similar conditions.
The parent-child relationship is distinctive because these children are frequently caught between the hearing and deaf worlds. Numerous support groups and organisations are devoted to codas. Mother Father Deaf Day was established for codas to honour their deaf parents and bring awareness to the community.
HOW TO OBSERVE MOTHER FATHER DEAF DAY
Attend a function
On this day, local Coda and Koda communities organise events spanning from simple gatherings to picnics. Additionally, CODA organises events and conferences surrounding this holiday. Invite your friends and family to a nearby event that you discover.
Organise a celebration
Are you an offspring of a parent who is deaf? Host your very own Mother Father Deaf Day celebration or event to celebrate your family and upbringing. You can also honour your parents by posting pictures of your family online with the hashtag #MotherFatherDeafDay. Don’t neglect to invite family and other members of the coda community to celebrate with you.
Donate
There are numerous organisations devoted to assisting deaf and coda community members. These organisations are frequently non-profit and supported by donations. Today, make a difference in your community by donating to an organisation of your choosing.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HEARING LOSS
More sign languages than you might believe
Over 300 distinct sign languages, systems, and dialects exist throughout the globe.
More frequent than you may imagine
Over 5% of the global population is afflicted by hearing loss, per the WHO.
older individuals are more afflicted
One in three individuals over 65 suffers from hearing loss.
It can cause dementia.
Studies indicate that untreated hearing loss can lead to dementia in old age.
It is extremely costly
The cost of treating all individuals with hearing impairments is estimated at $750 billion.
WHY MOTHER FATHER DEAF DAY IS IMPORTANT
It elevates consciousness
Many people are unaware that there are deaf parents who give birth to hearing children, let alone the codas community. This day brings attention to the codas community, allowing others to learn about its existence and the need for support.
It honours parents who are deaf and codas.
We appreciate that this holiday is not just for the deaf community as a whole, but also for deaf parents with hearing children. Mother Father Deaf Day is an inclusive holiday that ought to be celebrated with pride.
It celebrates a distinct relationship
We have established how exceptional the relationship between hearing children of deaf parents is, as well as how simple it is for codas to feel stuck between two worlds. This day not only illuminates and commemorates a very unique parent-child relationship.
MOTHER FATHER DEAF DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 29 | Friday |
| 2023 | April 30 | Sunday |
| 2024 | April 28 | Sunday |
| 2025 | April 27 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 26 | Sunday |
