ADVOCACY
Amplifying voices within the stuttering community.
Our Stories, Our Voices: Advocating for Change
Our Founder & CEO, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist lends his voice to efforts that support the heart of our mission to improve access to healthcare for those who stutter. See firsthand how these stories celebrate milestones for the voices of millions affected by stuttering. Watch, be inspired, and join us in our mission to create lasting change.
Our advocacy effort and ask is simple and clear.
As part of our vision to change the social stigma of stuttering, we are committed to spreading awareness about our cause. Stuttering affects 1% of the U.S. population from rural, suburban and urban communities. That is approximately 3.5 million people. 3.5 million! Yet there are many barriers these 3.5 million people face including:
Limited access to speech therapy due to insurance companies denying speech therapy or restricting sessions with a cap.
High out-of-pocket costs cause families to forego speech therapy.
School systems are faced with a lack of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) who specialize in stuttering.
Shortage of curriculum and education in the management of stuttering in healthcare and higher education.
Too many misconceptions and false assumptions in the world about those who stutter.
What We Know
Early speech therapy intervention with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who specializes in stuttering leads to a higher rate of recovery.
SPEECH THERAPY BENEFITS
Transformational progress from avoidance to acceptance
Increased self-confidence
Improved positive self-identity
Higher comfort level with stuttering
Less psychological, emotional, social and functional impacts
Decreased anxiety
Increased social communication participation
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Change & Impact is meeting with both federal and state legislators from both sides of the aisle to raise awareness about the gap in our healthcare system for those who stutter. Call or write your Senator and/or Congressman to request stuttering intervention research and improved insurance coverage for speech therapy for those who stutter.
by