Champions of Deaf Awareness and Humanity Initiative, CODAH

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the linguistic identity of the Deaf community and advancing the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of all persons with disabilities.

2 women smiling while holding a banner that says "Sign language unites us"

ABOUT US

Our Mission

To bridge the communication and social barriers that separate the Deaf, disabled, and hearing communities by promoting awareness, inclusive dialogue, and meaningful participation. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we aim to build a society where everyone belongs.

Our Vision

A world where being Deaf or disabled is not seen as a limitation, but as a powerful part of human diversity and where every individual has equal access to opportunities, respect, and the chance to reach their full potential.

A man in a white hoodie, standing next to a woman who is holding up a banner that says "Deafness is not contagious"

The Champions of Deaf Awareness and Humanity Initiative (CODAH) was officially established in 2020 by Ayodele Rebecca Olatunji, a child and sister of Deaf adults. Growing up in a Deaf family, Rebecca witnessed firsthand the communication and social barriers her parents faced due to their deafness. These challenges didn’t just affect her parents but deeply shaped her own childhood experiences.

As a young girl, she struggled with society’s perception of her family’s deafness. The stares, the awkward reactions when they used sign language in public, these moments made her self-conscious and over time, she began to shy away from using sign language outside her home. This created an emotional distance between her and her family, especially her Deaf younger sister until the silence was broken when her sister asked three simple but powerful questions that changed everything: “Why are you ashamed of us? Why don’t you communicate with us in public anymore? Why are you always angry at us?”

Those questions sparked a deep personal reflection in Rebecca. She realized, painfully, that she had been unintentionally discriminating against her own family and from that moment, she committed to doing better not just for herself, but for her sister and the entire Deaf community.

Her journey toward inclusion began with a vision: to build a world where deafness is not seen as a limitation, and where barriers between the Deaf and hearing communities no longer exist. In 2019, she launched The I Can Sign Project, offering training to individuals and hearing students on Deaf culture and sign language. What started as a small initiative grew rapidly and gained international recognition. In 2020, she received her first global award from Opportunity Desk, which came with funding support that allowed her to expand the project into a full-fledged non-profit organization - CODAH.

Today, CODAH is at the forefront of promoting sign language awareness and Deaf inclusion. The organization has trained over 10,000 people, including individuals from diverse backgrounds, students across schools in Nigeria, as well as parents and caregivers of Deaf children. Her mission is clear: to create a more inclusive society where Deaf people are embraced, empowered, and truly heard.

An image of a woman in grey suit, smiling.

Our Story

Our Core Values

We champion equity and full participation for all.

1

Inclusion

2

Respect

We honor diverse identities, experiences, and voices.

3

Collaboration

We work together across communities to drive change.

4

Learning

We embrace continuous growth and open-mindedness.

5

Service

We are committed to making a real difference in people’s lives.

Meet the Team

a group of people holding pink flags and signs

Rebecca Olatunji

Jane Smith

a group of women in pink shirts standing in front of a pink inflatable

Emily Brown

Our dedicated team champions deaf awareness and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities, fostering inclusion and empowerment through education, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue across communities.

Lead Advocate and Founder

Advocate

Educate

Get in Touch

At Codah, we welcome your inquiries and feedback. Connect with us to learn more about our initiatives, advocacy efforts, and how you can support the deaf community.