Many people who stammer find telephone calls particularly difficult. Speech therapy and self-help tends to encourage people who stammer to try and use the phone nevertheless (see also Reducing avoidance). If you keep using the phone you may find it becomes easier with practice, even if you still stammer.

Speaking on the phone

Some tips for making phone calls A few coping strategies that have worked for other people who stammer, in our employees booklet.

Using the telephone Many people whether they have a stammer or not, can have difficulty using the telephone. Edwin Farr suggests ideas for people who stammer.

Taking on the phone monster Helen Phillips has always found telephone calls daunting. She writes about what helps, listener reactions, and tackling calls head on (Summer 2011).

Making peace with the phone Jim McClure talks about how he conquered his fear of the phone. (2002)

Opportunities to practice with others who stammer

Telephone Link Scheme Chat one-to-one with others who stammer.

Practising with Skype Remigiusz Rozycki uses Skype to practise his speech, and talk with people who stammer around the world. Speaking Out article.

Disability discrimination

www.stammeringlaw.org.uk/phone Putting the phone down on someone who stammers, for example, or failing to make reasonable adjustments may be a breach of the Equality Act 2010. Service providers, employers and others have obligations under the Act.

Aids to speaking on the phone

Altered auditory feedback (AAF) This may help some who stammer speak more fluently on the phone as well as elsewhere. As well as custom-built devices, there is software and apps for computers and mobile phones. But an app on a mobile phone won't work on a call using that phone.

Making phone calls without speaking

Making a text call Many organisations offer a textphone (or 'Minicom') number as an alternative to the main phone number, so you can type instead of speaking. You don't need a textphone to use this, you can use a computer or smartphone. There is a free 'TalkbyText' online service to make text calls via the internet (including through a smartphone if its browser supports javascript), or you can also buy TalkbyText software for Windows which has fuller functionality: TalkbyText (link to Action on Hearing Loss). When making a text call, you type GA ('go ahead') to tell the other person you've finished typing and it's their turn, and BIBI SK ('bye bye' and 'stop keying') to end a call. For more abbreviations and information generally: Text communications (pdf, link to Action on Hearing Loss)

www.textrelay.org If the business or other person you are calling does not have a textphone, Text Relay provides a trained operator to read out to the other person what you type on a text call. You don't need to have a textphone, you can use a computer or smartphone instead - see above 'Making a text call'.

www.emergencysms.org.uk The emergencySMS service lets speech-impaired people (among others) in the UK send an SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard. You should register your phone in advance.

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