The National Stuttering Association
Chelsea Alt and Teresa Mrnik
History:
- In
1976 Michael Sugarman, an aide for the University of California Capitol
Hill, approached a Senator’s aide about the idea of forming an
organization for people who stutter called the “California
Stuttering Association”
- He was
referred to Bob Goldman, who was trying to start a national organization
called the “National Stuttering Project”
- Goldman
and Sugarman founded the National Stuttering Association in California in
1977
- It began
as a non-profit organization dedicated to creating community awareness
about stuttering through PSA’s and newspaper articles
- A huge
outpouring of public support allowed the organization to expand and grow
- Founded
local support groups for people who stutter to share their experiences
- By the
end of 1978, there was a bi-annual newsletter in place, and the first NSA
convention (The Stuttering Child: A Workshop for Parents) was held.
- In May
1988, a group of NSA members along with local congressional representatives
brought an initiative before the President to be signed that declared the
second week in May to be National Stuttering Awareness week.
- In
1990 NSA expanded to include board members from across the country
- NSA
board resolved to make 1996 The year of the child who stutters and organized national symposiums throughout
the country with funding by way of grants from ASHA
- In
2002, NSA won the Distinguished Service Award from ASHA
- NSA
members are on the Fluency-related committees for ASHA
- NSA is
a member of the International Stuttering Association, and collaborates
with the International Fluency Association and the European League of
Stuttering Associations
- NSA is
currently the largest self-help organization for people who stutter in the
U.S. with over 80 different self-help groups nationwide
Mission Statement: The National Stuttering Association is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope, dignity, support,
education, and empowerment to children and adults who stutter and their
families.
Goals for implementing values:
1.
Providing adequate resources.
2.
Providing outreach and support locally and nationally for
people who stutter.
3.
Providing outreach online.
4.
Increasing public awareness and understanding of stuttering.
5.
Improving availability and quality of assistance for those who
stutter.
6.
Strengthening alliances and related organizations.
7.
Encouraging and facilitating future research.
Programs:
- Local
support group chapters
Ø Family/child
Ø Adult
Ø Letting
Go
Ø Our
Voices (insert)
Ø Stutter
Buddies
Ø Connections
Advocacy Resources Empowerment
Ø June
28-July 1, 2006 in Long Beach, California
- Workshops
- Continuing
education
- Research
Outreach:
Ø Children
Ø Teens
Ø Adults
Ø Job
applicants
- Family
members
- Educators
- SLP’s/clinicians
- Physicians
- Employers
- Media
- Researchers
Consumer advocacy:
- Informs
consumers that stuttering meets ADA criteria to qualify as a disability;
it can also be classified as a handicap, and as such it is protected under
state anti-discrimination laws;
- Provides
consumers with facts and statistics about fluency-enhancing devices;