INDIANA SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION (ISHA)

Response to Tony Katz – WIBC broadcaster

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Indiana Speech Language Hearing Association (ISHA) sent a letter to the Program Director, David Wood, at WIBC to demand an apology from Tony Katz for his recent, on air, remarks about stuttering.  Each day, Speech Language Pathologists in Indiana and across the nation work with individuals of all ages who are often dismissed, disrespected, bullied or isolated based upon how they communicate.  These frequent instances are unfair, demeaning and hurtful.  Mr. Katz’s demeaning remarks were broadcast for many to hear. His negative words along with his casual dismissal of the impact of his words, potentially serve as a model for others to adopt in word and deed. Behavior such as this is unacceptable and should not be encouraged or tolerated.