Dave Rowley (De Montfort University) receives the award on behalf of the British Stammering Association from Willie Botterill, President of the IFA.

At their recent World Congress in Brazil, the International Fluency Association awarded the IFA Consumer Award of Distinction 2009 to the British Stammering Association.

IFA is the international body for researchers and clinicians concerned with stammering. Its award is 'to recognize the tireless efforts and the often unique and creative activities of the BSA and the people within it who work to promote the interests of all who stutter.'

The Award, which is given only every three years, was accepted on behalf of the BSA by Dave Rowley, Principal Lecturer from De Montfort University (Leicester) who attended the Congress.

BSA Chief Executive Norbert Lieckfeldt said "This award is a well-deserved accolade to the work of all my colleagues, to our trustees who guide us and especially to all our members who are so supportive of our work and make it all possible. While we are an organisation led by people who stammer for people who stammer, we pride ourselves on our excellent relationship with clinicians and researchers - many of whom are, indeed, themselves people who stammer.

"These are difficult times and external recognition such as this may well be crucial to convince those who fund our 'often unique and creative' activities to continue their support in future. Thank you so much to our colleagues at IFA."

August 2009