Press release -
STAMMA JOIN FORCES WITH STAMMERING PRIDE OVER COFFEE PROTEST
Embargo: 0:01 22nd October 2024
On 22nd October, International Stammering Awareness Day (ISAD), STAMMA, alongside some of the Stammering Pride community, are calling for a Day of Action against Starbucks on the 26th of October, urging them to make their ordering process accessible, fair and inclusive.
Many who stammer experience ridicule and humiliation when ordering in coffee shops. After hearing from over 1,500 STAMMA members and supporters about their experiences, STAMMA shared a guide with all the key coffee chains. This has been well received and brought about many conversations with the chains, but not with Starbucks.
We’re inviting our members to go to key Starbucks locations at 11am on Saturday, the 26th of October, make an order, and let them hear our diverse stammered voices.
83% of people who STAMMA surveyed find it hard to say their name on demand. This is part of Starbucks processes, yet Starbucks have rebuffed our attempts to talk to them. All we want is a conversation about training.
We’re not trying to bring stores to a halt. The aim of this protest is to be heard by Starbucks and to engage in constructive dialogue to address the barriers faced by the stammering community. Our message is for the company, not the baristas.
For those who can’t make it, we’ve invited them to print this letter and drop it off at their nearest store.
CEO Jane Powell said, “This isn’t just about Starbucks – it’s about how every company considers the needs of people who stammer. If we are to change the culture, we need to have conversations about how our voices get excluded and how to tackle the barriers that face us. If necessary, one company at a time.”
Stammering Pride representative group Patrick Campbell said, “People who stammer have unique and powerful voices. Starbucks, and many other companies, continue to create environments where it is difficult for these voices to be heard. Through this action, we aim to use our voices collectively to call for coffee shops to be inclusive of people who stammer.” The stammering pride group's statement on this day of action can be found here.
We will release a list of the stores where this will take place on our website on Tuesday, the 22ndof October.
Topics
Categories
Our Purpose
We exist to create a world that makes space for stammering. Where it's embraced as just a difference. Where no-one judges your stammer or the way you choose to deal with it. We’ll get there by bringing people together, whether they stammer or not, to propel a movement for change.
We will stand up for and embolden those who stammer, provide support and information, and challenge discrimination wherever we find it. We’ll fight for NHS speech and language therapy services for those want it. No matter how you talk, we're here for you.
Stammering is not a sign of being drunk, dishonest, nervous or weak. It’s simply how some of us talk.
