The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) announced on May 7 that it is encouraging the public to visit an interactive digital exhibit about stuttering at the Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C., as part of National Stuttering Awareness Week, which runs from May 9 to May 15.
The initiative aims to increase understanding and support for people who stutter by providing educational resources and sharing personal experiences. The exhibit is located in the Words Matter Gallery of the Planet Word Museum and features touch- and voice-activated photos, videos, and graphics suitable for all ages. It covers what stuttering is, its causes, signs, and how speech-language pathologists can help.
According to ASHA, the approach reflected in the exhibit focuses on building confidence among people who stutter and promoting self-acceptance rather than striving solely for fluency. The display includes voices and perspectives from individuals of various ages who stutter. It also highlights their achievements—including those of well-known figures—and offers guidance on how others can provide support during interactions.
“We are very grateful to Planet Word for the opportunity to co-produce an educational resource that is factual, informed by research and by people who stutter, and comprehensive,” said ASHA 2026 President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo.
Ann Friedman, CEO and Founder of Planet Word Museum said: “At Planet Word, we believe every aspect of language deserves to be explored and better understood. Stuttering affects more than three million Americans, and we are proud to partner with ASHA to offer our visitors a deeper understanding of a topic that touches so many of us.”
This marks the second collaborative exhibit between ASHA and Planet Word; their first partnership produced an exhibit on word-finding difficulties and aphasia in 2022. Both exhibits reside within the museum’s Words Matter Gallery.