CODA stands for "child of deaf adult" and refers to a person who was raised by one or more deaf parent or legal guardian-growing-up-with-unique-communication-challenges.aspx). The term was coined by Millie Brother, who also founded the organization CODA, which serves as a resource and a center of community for children of deaf adults as an oral and a sign language, and bicultural, identifying with both deaf and hearing cultures. CODAs often navigate the border between the deaf and hearing worlds, serving as liaisons between their deaf parents and the hearing world in which they reside. They are a part of a very tight, but underrecognized community, that mixes their deaf culture and identity with the rest of the hearing world. CODAs are exposed to unique communication challenges, and they often find themselves in the middle of two worlds-growing-up-with-unique-communication-challenges.aspx). They are bilingual and bicultural, and they have distinct needs for their hearing and deaf identities. CODAs are often proficient in sign language and have a good understanding of deaf culture. They can seek careers in deaf education and contribute to the deaf community. CODAs may feel mentally and emotionally overburdened when they try to protect their parents, and they may face discrimination because hearing children have little exposure to deaf culture.