We're on a mission to bridge the gap between businesses, their customers and employees who have a speech disability. Sign up to our training service and join our consortium of business leaders working to improve customer experience and business performance.
The Problem
We see career aspirations crushed by the myth that you can't be a lawyer, teacher, soldier or nurse if you stammer. People are judged as 'nervous' rather than seen as communicating differently. Failed at interview, passed over for promotion and discouraged from a whole host of careers.
The impact of being bullied for your stammer can profoundly impact your confidence, outlook and mental health. But most people don't see stammering as a disability.
Stammering is a natural variation that affects at least 1% of adults. Because businesses haven't catered for this difference, billions are lost in talent and custom. Not just from those who stammer. Between 4-6% of adults live with speech or voice differences resulting from a stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Accommodating such differences needn't be difficult.
We're a tiny charity with limited resources, so while we can't work for free, we'd love to trade our expertise. If you partner with us and support our work, we'll help you adapt to this audience.
The Opportunity
Help set a new standard for inclusive communication with a £10,000 contribution. We'll spend £5,000 on the training and put £5,000 towards developing new resources and outreach.
■ We'll provide you with bespoke training to support your employees and equip your teams to deliver a customer experience that is inclusive of speech differences.
■ We'll position your organisation as a founding leader in accessibility on our website, and provide assest you can put on yours.
The Benefit
■ Regulatory expectations: Being 'stammer aware' aligns with FCA Consumer Duty requirements regarding customer vulnerability.
■ ESG impact: This offers a clear, measurable contribution to your social impact commitments.
■ People who stammer often bring high levels of resilience, empathy and listening skills — key strengths for client-facing roles.
Our Training
Our training is informed by consumer insights, testing and speech & language professionals. Our Communication Consortium Training Package will help ensure your business is accessible to those who stammer or have a speech disability.
We'll:
■ review your practice in the areas outlined below
■ provide you with a report with recommendations
■ provide tailored training and resources
■ co-create a video celebrating your work.
Support Customers & service users with Speech Disabilities
This package of work includes reviewing the following areas for potential interaction with customers or service users with speech disabilities:
■ Procedures for disclosure of vulnerability
■ Customer record flagging
■ Procedures for responding to silence or 'bad lines'
■ IVR processes
■ ID processes
■ Fraud detection
Support Colleagues with Speech Disabilities
This package includes reviewing the following areas for potential interaction with employees with speech disabilities:
■ Recruitment processes
■ Meetings
■ Workplace adjustments
■ Invitations and responses to disclosure
Ongoing Learning & Development
In addition to bespoke training sessions and resources, you will have access to a 12-month programme of online sessions.
Email partnerships@stamma.org to set up a call.
