Survey Shows Discrimination Against Those who Stutter

March 6, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A newly released survey by Professor Marshall Rice of the Schulich School of Business at York University, Toronto, found 51% of respondents believe they would have a better job if they were not afflicted with stuttering.

In a press release, The Stuttering Foundation said 68% of those surveyed agreed with the statement, “I believe my capabilities, at times, have been misjudged by my supervisors because of my stuttering.”

“Clearly, some employers do not understand stuttering and make incorrect assumptions about the abilities of their employees who stutter. This misunderstanding results in reduced employment and promotion opportunities,” Rice said, according to the release.

In addition, the survey found:

  • 61% agreed with the statement, “I feel I have to be ‘better’ than fluent speakers in order to have the same opportunities for employment.”
  • 42% felt a job interview was ‘cut short’ because of their stuttering.
  • 14% said an employer told them directly they would not be hired for a position because of their stuttering.

The survey gathered responses from 566 people from 37 countries, all of whom stutter.

People who stutter may be harder workers because they have to compensate for their disability, speech experts say, according to the Stuttering Foundation (See NewsDash – January 4 Benefit Briefs ).

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