NSA’s 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, and the professionals who serve them.

NSA's Vision Statement

Our vision is to be a positive, powerful, and dynamic consumer-driven force in shaping the way stuttering is viewed and treated. We will advance our message of hope, support and empower­ment to all of those affected by stuttering. Through a variety of outreach efforts, including local chapters, educational training, family programs, and publications, we will be the primary resource for stuttering. We will promote research to improve the treatment of stuttering and prevent chronic stuttering for future generations. We will encourage individuals with skills and resources to become involved in leadership and advisory roles. We will continue to broaden our base of support to include people inside and outside of the stuttering community. Our challenges are in financial and human resources; our strengths are in our history, leadership, management, network of chapters, family programs, and passion.

NSA's Values Statement

We believe that stuttering is a communication disorder that is not caused by nervousness or mental illness.

We believe that people who stutter do not have to feel ashamed of their stuttering.

We believe that people who stutter have the right to be treated with the same respect as others.

We believe that people who stutter should have the same access to employment opportunities as others.

We believe that people who stutter can choose to counter insensitivity and discrimination with knowledge, confidence, and self-advocacy. People who stutter do not have to be victims.

We believe that people who stutter can be effective communicators.

We believe that people who stutter may improve their fluency and communication skills with the help of a qualified speech-language pathologist.

We believe that for preschool children, early diagnosis and treatment by a qualified speech-language pathologist provides the best opportunity to prevent chronic stuttering.

We believe that informed and empowered families create the most effective support systems for children, adolescents, and adults who stutter.

We believe that people who seek treatment for stuttering have a right to information about clinician qualifications and treatment outcomes.

We believe that active participation in stuttering support activities can enhance communication skills and minimize the impact of stuttering on a person’s life.

We believe that active participation in the National Stuttering Association will increase positive attitudes regarding communication and self.

We believe that supporting and participating in legitimate research will help to identify the causes of stuttering and develop a cure for chronic stuttering.

Strategic Plan Goals

Goal 1:  To Provide Adequate Resources. The board of directors, the executive director, and the national advisory council will develop, implement, and review a comprehensive set of strategies to meet the requirements for human and financial resources necessary to fulfill our mission.

Goal 2:  To Provide Outreach and Support Locally and Nationally for People Who Stutter and their Families. Expand the quality and quantity of programs and services for children, adolescents, and adults who stutter and their families. Programs and services will be developed to meet the unique needs of each population, including the transition from youth to adulthood.

Goal 3:  Develop On-Line Strategy. Continue to interface with website developer and committee to complete website design and content; incorporate web strategies into all facets of NSA’s mission.

Goal 4:  To Increase Public Awareness and Understanding of Stuttering. Develop public-relations and marketing programs and strategies to increase awareness and understanding of stuttering and its affects on individuals and families.

Goal 5:  To Improve the Availability and Quality of Treatment for Stuttering. Develop programs for (a) referring people seeking treatment for stuttering to qualified clinicians, (b) providing training and education about stuttering for speech-language pathologists; and (c) becoming a comprehensive resource for consumer information about stuttering treatment.

Goal 6:  To Strengthen Alliances with Related Organizations. Be proactive in fostering positive relationships with allied professional and non-professional organizations.

Goal 7:  To Encourage and Facilitate Research. Collect relevant research data from within the organization and facilitate collaboration between researchers and people who stutter. Become a major voice in the future of research on stuttering and, ultimately, become a recognized funding source for research into the cause and treatment of stuttering.

Contact information:

Phone: 800-WeStutter (800-937-8888)

Phone: 212-944-4050

 

Fax: 212-944-8244

 

Email: info@WeStutter.org

 

Mailing address:

National Stuttering Association

119 W. 40th Street

14th Floor

New York, NY 10018