Continuing the Shift to Acceptance: National Stuttering Awareness Week 2026

This week marks National Stuttering Awareness Week (also famously known as NSAW), and we’re excited to once again celebrate and spotlight our community.

As we began planning this year’s campaign, we paused to reflect on what we’re really working toward. We continue to believe that awareness matters, but awareness alone isn’t enough. At the National Stuttering Association (NSA), our mission goes deeper: We’re here to challenge outdated stereotypes and help build a world where stuttering is not just recognized, but understood and accepted.

That’s why last year, we introduced a shift in how we talked about this week, choosing to use “National Stuttering Acceptance Week.” We heard from members of our community who felt strongly about that change. We want to make it abundantly clear that we respect the history of NSAW. The conversations that came out of last year only reinforced that this community cares deeply about how stuttering is represented.

So this year, we’re continuing forward with intention. We’ll once again be using “National Stuttering Acceptance Week” to reflect the future we’re working toward, one where acceptance is the standard.

But why does that distinction matter? We’re glad you asked. But first, a little background: 

The History of National Stuttering Awareness Week

This week's roots go back to 1986, when we were still known as the National Stuttering Project (NSP). That’s when the vision for a national week dedicated to raising awareness about stuttering began to take shape.

Thanks to the relentless determination and advocacy of passionate NSP members like Paul Castellano, who testified before several U.S.

Congressional subcommittees, Barbara Koval, and so many others who rallied their representatives, then-President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation in April 1988 officially designating the second week of May as National Stuttering Awareness Week.

(Source: Minnesota State University, Mankato)

But the party didn’t stop in 1988! Each year, the second week of May has remained a dedicated time to raise awareness and celebrate stuttering as a valid way of communicating. In 2026, we’re proud to mark the 38th annual National Stuttering Awareness Week!

We are grateful to the NSP members whose tireless advocacy brought National Stuttering Awareness Week to life. Their commitment in the early days paved the way for a week that has since raised national awareness, fought against stigma, and commemorated people who stutter in countless ways for decades. Without their vision and hard work, National Stuttering Awareness Week would not be what it is today. We honor the history that shaped it and are excited to witness its continued growth.

The Future of National Stuttering Awareness Week

We remain committed to carrying forward the legacy the NSP members began, continuing to advocate for the stuttering community for generations to come. While the official designation remains “Awareness Week,” we’re continuing to shift the language because we believe it’s time to move the needle forward. People who stutter should always have the freedom to define their own relationship with stuttering and choose the path that feels right for them. However, we firmly believe it’s time for people who don’t stutter (and the general public) to move beyond awareness and toward a deeper understanding and acceptance of stuttering. We’re using awareness to drive acceptance.

You’re probably wondering where this shift in language came from. Again, we’re glad you asked! 

Last year, we drew inspiration from the Autism Society of America, which transitioned from “Awareness” to “Acceptance” in 2020. Their reasoning deeply resonated with us, and we’re proud to continue following their lead. If you want to learn more, we strongly encourage you to read their article. 

Why These Conversations Must Go Beyond the Stuttering Community

As we continue evolving this week, we also want to be intentional about who these conversations reach. For many years, conversations about stuttering have largely taken place within the stuttering community itself. While those spaces are essential, if we want to create a world where people who stutter are accepted, these conversations can’t stay only within our own circles.

Stuttering acceptance happens when people who don’t stutter begin to listen and rethink what they believe about stuttering. That’s why this week is about inviting others in, not just celebrating in isolation. We want this week to help educators better support students who stutter. To encourage employers to create more inclusive workplaces. To challenge everyday assumptions.

Whether you want to call it National Stuttering Awareness Week or National Stuttering Acceptance Week, we urge you to join us in celebrating this meaningful week together as we continue pushing for a future where people who stutter are fully accepted.