University News Last updated 17 October 2018
Birmingham City University will be marking International Stammering Awareness Day (ISAD) on Monday 22 October, with an event showcasing the work and stories of people who stammer.
Stammering is a complex neurological condition affecting the fluency of people's speech and occurs in one per cent of the adult population across the world.
Birmingham City University has been running its Speech and Language Therapy course for over 50 years, training the next generation of therapists to support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties, including those that stammer.
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and delivered at the West Midlands’ only training site for speech and language therapists – as well as being the largest provider of qualified staff to the NHS and social care professions.
The University’s free ISAD event, which will take place between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the institution’s City South Campus, will include a series of short talks from people who stammer, including Mandy Taylor, Vice Chair of the British Stammering Association.
The evening is being organised by Gillian Rudd, a Speech and Language Therapist and Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, and Abed Ahmed, a secondary school teacher in Birmingham who runs stammering support sessions for pupils.
Earlier this year, Birmingham City University named Abed Ahmed as an Alumni of the Year in recognition of his work to help young people in the same position as him.
Gillian Rudd, Senior Lecturer, Birmingham City University, said:
“Although the popular film ‘The King’s Speech’ was great for raising awareness of stammering, most people still know relatively little about it and the impact it can have on people’s lives."
Click here for more information and booking details. Those unable to attend the event in person can follow online using the hashtag #ISADinBrum.
Mandy Taylor, Vice Chair of the British Stammering Association, added:
“This event is a great opportunity to showcase all things stammering! There’s lots to shout about from new research to the different therapies available as well as celebrating the rich diversity of people who stammer."
“People who stammer have a chance to tell the world how this has impacted upon their lives, the positivity they have gleamed from it, as well as the challenges they have faced, and continue to face, as the world changes. This is our day to open our world up to others who did not know much about stammering before, a day to make all voices matter.”
Those interested in a career in Speech and Language Therapy can find out more at Birmingham City University’s Open Day, on Saturday 20 October.