A Participatory Research Approach to Explore the Experiences of Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs)

Children of deaf adults (CODAs) are a unique group representing a relatively invisible linguistic and cultural minority. Research on CODAs is scarce, and little is known about their lived experience and how they view their identity, especially in a United Kingdom (UK) context. The current study aimed to break free from traditional research and instead adopted a participatory research (PR) approach, which aims to hand over the power to those closest to the matter. Consequently, two enthusiastic and driven female CODAs, aged 19 and 20, adopted the roles of co-researcher and participant.

The co-researchers’ aims were both exploratory and emancipatory as they were interested in exploring how the experiences of CODAs shaped their identity and gaining an understanding of what support is currently available for CODA families and what can be modified. The data was collected using virtual semi-structured interviews, artefacts, and diary entries. The data was analysed using an interpretative phenomenological (IPA) approach. The IPA process encouraged the co-researchers to explore their individual views first before identifying four general experiential themes: increased responsibility, the importance of being part of a CODA community, being empowered by your CODA identity, and supporting CODAs.

The findings were discussed in relation to the critical theory, social identity theory, and intersectionality theory, which underpin the current research. The PR findings have implications for educational psychologists and school practitioners in supporting CODA families and making them feel included, with a particular focus on deaf parents. There is a need for future PR in the UK that focuses on empowering diverse groups of CODAs aged 18 and under.