Mother Father Deaf Day

Mother Father Deaf Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) and their parents. This acronym is used to describe children who are not hearing impaired but were born to deaf parents. The holiday has a floating date—it is observed on the last Sunday in April.

History

The history of Mother Father Deaf Day dates back to 1997, when it was established by the CODA organization. It is dedicated to supporting children born to deaf parents who have normal hearing.

Many may find it surprising, but statistics show that about 90% of children born to deaf parents have normal hearing or only minor impairments that do not significantly affect their ability to perceive the sounds of the world around them. These children often face challenges from an early age, as their parents are unable to participate in teaching them how to speak.

Additionally, as these children grow up, they become bridges between two “worlds”—the hearing and the deaf. They must learn the sign language system to communicate effectively with their parents. Otherwise, communication would be limited to writing.

Interesting Facts

• The first sign languages emerged in 18th century France.
• Today, there are about 120 varieties of sign languages worldwide, reflecting the diversity of verbal and non-verbal communication across different cultures.
• The CODA organization has divisions in various countries around the world.

How to Celebrate

Congratulate people you know who are CODAs. Thank these children for their dedication to their parents and for learning sign language to support them.

Share information about the holiday on social media to raise awareness.

When is Mother Father Deaf Day in 2025?

Mother Father Deaf Day is associated with a celebration of family and support. It will be observed on the last Sunday in April.

Observations