How hearing children of deaf parents navigate deafness-related stigma

Abstract

Hearing children of Deaf adults (Codas) navigate two distinct worlds: the sign language of home and the spoken language of society. Drawing on an extensive literature review and life histories, this Family and Practitioner Brief examines the indirect prejudice and structural barriers that Codas face across social spaces. It outlines five core experiential themes shaping Coda development, highlighting how these youth transform their bilingual and bicultural heritage into personal resilience and agency. Finally, it provides actionable recommendations for social workers, educators, and policymakers to shift from a medical deficit framework toward empowering, systemic family support.