Time for Something Different...
CodaFest is a Coda-led gathering where we can celebrate our Deaf Heritage. Families, professionals, and community members come together to connect, learn, and heal.
It is more than an event—it is a shared space for:
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Education
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Cultural connection
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Storytelling
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Community healing
Held in a natural, immersive environment, CodaFest creates opportunities for Deaf people, Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), and hearing family members to experience each other—not just understand each other.
Who Are We?
We are:
Codas who grew up between two worlds
Deaf individuals whose experiences shaped generations
Parents of Deaf children
Siblings of Deaf
Families navigating language, identity, and connection
Professionals and allies committed to access, equity, and healing
At our core, we are a community bridging worlds:
The Deaf world
The hearing world
And the often invisible space in between
We carry stories of:
Language
Silence
Responsibility
Resilience
And legacy
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Why Do We Need CodaFest?
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Because something has been missing.
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1. Codas Have Been Invisible​
Codas are often grouped into the “hearing world,” but their experiences are deeply shaped by Deaf culture, language access, and responsibility at a young age.
There are very few spaces designed specifically for Codas and their families to process this.
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2. Language Access Shapes Lives​
Language is not just communication—it is:
Identity
Emotional development
Family connection
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When access is inconsistent or delayed, it can create:
Misunderstandings
Role reversals (children as interpreters)
Emotional burden
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CodaFest creates a space where language is fully accessible and centered.
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3. Intergenerational Experiences Need a Place to Be Seen​
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Many families carry:
Stories of oppression
Educational barriers
Language deprivation
Cultural pride and resilience
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But these stories are rarely shared together, across generations.
CodaFest allows:
Deaf parents
Coda adults
Coda children
Hearing partners
Family Members
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to sit in the same space and understand each other.
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4. We Need Connection, Not Just Services​
Therapy is important. Education is important.
But community healing happens when people:
Laugh together
Share stories
See themselves reflected in others
Feel understood without explanation
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CodaFest is about belonging, not just learning.
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5. We Are Building the Future​
CodaFest is not just about today—it’s about:
Supporting healthier Deaf parents
Empowering Codas with identity and voice
Creating stronger family systems
Informing research and advocacy
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This is how we begin to address language injustice and its ripple effects.
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In One Sentence​
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CodaFest exists because Codas, Deaf families, and their communities deserve a space where their experiences are centered, understood, and transformed into connection, healing, empowerment, and change.
