This observance began in 1998 as a joint initiative of the International Stuttering Association (ISA) and stuttering associations in the UK and Ireland, and has since been marked annually on October 22 with participation from organizations in dozens of countries. The day raises public awareness of stuttering, a speech fluency disorder affecting about one percent of the world's population, and works to correct common misconceptions, clarifying that it is unrelated to intelligence or mental ability. It also calls for acceptance of people who stutter in workplaces, schools, and society, along with appropriate psychological and therapeutic support free of discrimination. Stuttering associations worldwide hold annual awareness activities that include personal testimonies from people who stutter, training workshops for teachers and family members on supportive communication, and media campaigns aimed at normalizing conversations around the disorder.