By Ted Knapinsky
In the Oct. 10 New York Times article “Stutterer Speaks Up in Class; His Professor Says Keep Quiet,”Richard Pérez-Peña reports on the struggles of Philip Garber Jr., a student at County College of Morris in Randolph, N.J.Garber, who has a severe stutter, was told by his history professor not to speak in class because he’s disruptive. I have no relation to Philip Garber on any personal level. But I can relate to Philip and his difficulties in the classroom. I have had a severe stutter since I was 4 years old.
After reading the article several times over, I was stunned that his professor, Elizabeth Snyder, sent her disabled student an email asking him to pose questions before or after class so that he would not “infringe” upon other students time. Mrs. Snyder was quoted as saying “your speaking is disruptive.”
As someone who suffers the same disability, I am bothered by the way this particular situation was handled. You can read my blog post in education section of The New York Times.
