Cultural Competency andPeople First Language

What is Culture?

Culture includes the shared values, traditions, norms,customs, religion, arts, history, folklore, language

and/or institutions of a specific group of people.

Share our similarities, celebrate our differences.

- M. Scott Peck

Definitions

Cultural Awareness: Being conscious of the similarities and differences within, between and among cultures.

Cultural Sensitivity: Accepts cultural differences non-judgmentally.

Cultural Competency: Skills that enable individuals to increase their understanding and appreciation of cultural differences and similarities.

Definitions

Cross Cultural: Interaction between individuals from different cultures.

Ethnicity: Belonging to a common group with shared heritage, often linked by race, nationality and language.

Race: A socially defined population that is derived fromdistinguishable physical characteristics that aregenetically determined.

Examples of Cultural Differences

Native American:⁻ Usually want a provider from their own tribe⁻ Believe in non-traditional medicine

Asian:

⁻ Prefer more space between speaker and listener

⁻ Limited contact, no hugging or back slapping

Latino:

⁻ Comfortable with close conversational distance

⁻ More expressive

Examples of Cultural Differences

East Indian:

⁻ Believe the head is fragile and should not be touched.

Muslim:

⁻ A woman will not shake the hand of a man.

How to be Culturally Competent

Keep in mind the following:

• No one is born with opinions or biases, they are learned.

• When children learn about the world, they learn both information and misinformation about people who are different from them and their families.

• Some of this information is about stereotyping.

Avoid Automatic Stereotyping

When we encounter certain situations or people, we

automatically respond rather than rationally thinking

about the situation. This is called automatic

stereotyping. And we all do it.

2015 Demographic Analysis of theMembers We Serve

3% 4%4%

19%

1%

58%

9%

2%

Ethnic Breakdown

American Indian orAlaska Native

Asian

African American/ Black

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian orOther Pacific Islander

White

2015 Demographic Analysis of the Members We Serve

1%

4%

24%

28%

18%

12%

4%2%

7%

Household Size

Household of 1

Household of 2

Household of 3

Household of 4

Household of 5

Household of 6

Household of 7

Household of 8+

Did not specify

2015 Demographic Analysis of theMembers We Serve

10% 2%

5% 3%

5%

3%

5%

47%

20%

Income

0 to $14,999

$15,000 to $19,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$50,000 or more

Not reported

Cross Cultural Communication

Potential Barriers

When communication between people breaks down, its frustrating. Often times, the cause is a difference in values. Values are shaped by culture and experience.

Things to look for:

• Assumed similarity

• Non-verbal communication

• Verbal communication

Cross Cultural Communication

Non-verbal communication. Approximately 70% to 90% of communication is affected by non-verbal cues.

Cultural Diversity and Health

People have different views on health and illnessdepending on their cultural background andupbringing.

• Traditional remedies vs. modern medicine

• Aggressive vs. mild treatments

• Acceptance vs. taking action

Communication Tips

Communication Do’s:

Learn and use the correct pronunciation of a person’s name.

Look at the situation from another person’s perception.

Simplify or rephrase what is said.

Use language that is inclusive.

Pause between sentences.

Ask for clarification.

Be patient.

Communication Tips

Communication Don’ts

Don’t pretend to understand.

Don’t just assume that you’re being understood.

Don’t shout.

Don’t laugh at misused or mispronounced words or phrases.

Don’t overuse slang words. Be clear with your communication.

Don’t assume that using the first name is appropriate.

Don’t assume that limited language proficiency means limited intelligence.

Communication Tips

The old rule was the Golden Rule: Treat others theway you would want to be treated.

The new rule is the Platinum Rule: Treat othersthe way they want to be treated.

Cultural Competence is a journey, not a destination.

Enhancing Cultural Competence

What do you do when preparing to provide care to aperson from a culture other than yours?

Don’t judge.

Communicate.

Avoid potentially offensive body language.

Avoid potentially offensive clothing/cologne.

Not all cultures are comfortable with strong eye contact.

Language is Powerful!

Language displays an important role in showing respect for persons with disabilities.

• People First Language (PFL) recognizes that an individual is a person first and that the disability is a part, but not all of them.

• Avoid hurtful terms. Don’t use descriptions such as brain-damaged, slow learner or retarded. Rather, say “man with a brain injury” or “child with a learning difficulty.”

The language we use reflects the attitudes we have toward any particular group of people.

What Do You Call People with Disabilities?

Say This• People with disabilities

• People without disabilities

• Person who has an intellectual disability

• Person who has (or has been diagnosed with….)

• Person who has downs syndrome

• Person who has autism

• Person of short stature

• People who are blind

• Person diagnosed with a mental health condition

• Accessible parking, restroom, etc.

Not This• The handicapped, disabled

• Normal, healthy

• Mentally retarded, slow

• Person afflicted with, suffers from, a victim of

• Downs person, mongoloid

• Autistic

• Dwarf, midget

• The blind

• Crazy, insane, psycho, mentally ill, emotionally disturbed.

• Handicapped parking, restroom, etc.

Cultural Competency andPeople First Language Quiz

To take the test for this class, please go back to UCP’s intranet and look

For “Cultural Competency and People First Language Quiz”. When

completed, please fax, mail or email your completed quiz to Melinda

Campbell-Weber at MWeber@ucpofcentralaz.org.

Questions?

We’re here to help! Please call Melinda at 602-943-5472.

This training material has been created for the exclusive use of UNITED

CEREBRAL PALSY OF CENTRAL ARIZONA and may not be used for any

other purpose without express written consent of UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY

OF CENTRAL ARIZONA.