GATWIRI: Appreciate and love people with speech disorders

Communication refers to the sharing of information from the sender to the receiver.

It is an inevitable part of our life. We communicate through ways such as speech, eye contact, body movement and silence.

Communication deficits affect our social interactions with family, friends and employability terms.

People with speech disorders tend to avoid lengthy conversations via phone call or face to face communication because of the amount of time and airtime it consumes before complete sharing of information has taken place.

Most people prefer SMS, emails or written presentation.

This month celebrates better hearing and speech disorders.

It is meant for creating awareness of communication disorders and considers any disorder that affects hearing, language and speech.

It is also meant for taking action for people with speech problems such as stuttering by identifying them, joining them in groups and introducing therapy sessions for them.

Myths and misconceptions about persons with speech problems are overruling the facts.

Most people have assumptions that persons who stutter are not smart, slow learners and are inefficient in their places of work.

Children who stammer experience hardships, and ridicule and are denied opportunities even in school. 

Employers similarly, also discriminate against persons with speech disorders during recruitment and assigning of tasks especially promotions to the top positions.

It is high time to end the stigmatisation of people with speech problems.

All the stakeholders should take part in eliminating ignorance and stigmatization.

Charity begins at home, parents and teachers should be the first to stand up against discrimination.

They should love and appreciate them more and allow them to lead a normal life.

Therapy should also be introduced.

Communication companies should make policies aimed at reducing the calling charges since it takes them more time to get their ideas through.

Technology has made strides in assisting people with speech problems by use of speech assisted texts but more is yet to be accomplished.

Technological gurus should come up with innovations that assist such persons to lead a normal communication life.

The government should spearhead awareness and therapy campaigns countrywide.

Communication student at Maasai Mara University

Edited by Kiilu Damaris