KNR 273: Multicultural Issues Sylvester, Voelkl, & Ellis, 2001

ageRace & ethnicity Sex/ gender sexual orientation mental & physical abilities & qualities Parental Status * Income * Work Experience * * Military Experience Education * Religion * * Geography Dimensions of Diversity

Cultural Diversity Differences in race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual identity or orientation, socioeconomic status, physical ability, language, beliefs, values, behavior patterns or customs among various groups within a community, organization or nation

ATRA Statement on Diversity Approved March, 2006 The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) has an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity within the field of therapeutic recreation. We acknowledge that diversity includes any aspect of an individual that makes him or her unique. Our association values and actively promotes diverse and inclusive participation by its leaders, members, and affiliates.

ATRA Statement on Diversity Approved March, 2006 Further, the association works to educate its membership about diversity issues, and to foster an environment that acknowledges the contributions of all its members. We value the role that diversity plays in every aspect of service delivery, recognizing that diversity is vital to all elements of recreational therapy practice and education.

Global Village – 100 People 61 Asians,13 Africans, 12 Europeans, 9 Latin American, & 5 from the USA and Canada 50 female & 50 male 75 nonwhite & 25 white 67 would be non-Christian 80 would live in substandard housing 16 would be unable to read or write 50 would be malnourished & 1 dying of starvations

Global Village – 100 People 33 would be without access to safe water 39 would lack access to improved sanitation 8 would have access to the Internet 1 would have a college education 5 would control 32% of entire world’s wealth & all 5 would be US citizens 20 would live on less than US $1/day

ACTIVITY

Culture A group that shares a way of life or identifies with one another based on common beliefs, values, customs, backgrounds, etc. Characteristics Manners Ceremonies Language Arts Others?

Cultural Awareness Recognition of the nuances of one’s own and others’ cultures

Cultural Encapsulation A practice where other cultures are ignored  Getz, 2002 Encapsulated in our own culture “Cultural Cocoon” Insensitivity to other cultures Assuming our view is the only real or legitimate view  Sylvester, Voelkl, & Ellis, 2001

Cultural Competence A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system agency, or among people and enables them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations The integration of knowledge, awareness, & sensitivity about individuals & groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes to increase quality of life in a community

Cultural Competence Lifelong pursuit of increasing personal awareness of other cultures  Getz, 2002 Being a professional who is capable of helping people from all cultures to meet their needs and to achieve well-being as THEY understand it  Sylvester, Voelkl, & Ellis, 2001

Wheeler’s Model (1994) Unconsciously incompetent Do not know what they do not know Unaware of stereotypes they hold Limited knowledge of client’s cultures Consciously incompetent Knows that they do not know Willing to improve awareness & understanding

Wheeler’s Model (1994) Consciously competent New awareness & understanding of cultural differences Develops & implements programs with cultural awareness Unconsciously competent Knows how to deliver culturally competent TR services but doesn’t think about it

Culturally Appropriate Exhibiting sensitivity to cultural differences and similarities, and demonstrating effectiveness in translating that sensitivity to action through organizational mission statements, communication, and service to diverse cultures

Culturally Appropriate Ethnic/background (but beyond just this) Gender culturalization Socioeconomic / educational status Sexual orientation Physical capacity Age generational (cohorts) Personality type Spirituality / religious beliefs Regional perspectives New immigrant socialization

What is multiculturalism? Recognizing & respecting differences among people Common values & goals (e.g., justice, respect) Unity of different cultures  Sylvester et al., 2001

Therapeutic Recreation & Multiculturalism The demographics of North America changed dramatically during the 20 th century. With the changes in demographics have come a much more diverse population and concomitantly, a much more diverse population of people with disabilities. Little attention has been paid to the issue of disability and cultural diversity  Bullock & Mahon, 2000, p. 140

Therapeutic Recreation & Multiculturalism Therapeutic recreation is based on Western beliefs and values which seriously limits the field’s capacity to serve people whose primary world-view is non-Western.  Peregoy & Diser, 1997

DISCUSS SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN

Therapeutic Recreation & Multiculturalism The problem is that therapeutic recreation, which has long advocated the principle of inclusion as it pertains to persons with disabilities, has not sufficiently incorporated cultural inclusion, or multiculturalism, into its theory and practice.  Sylvester, Voelkl, & Ellis, 2001, p. 35

Therapeutic Recreation & Multiculturalism When working in clinical practice, it is important to acknowledge that your cultural beliefs exist. Even more importantly, one must be willing to acknowledge that clients may not hold the same beliefs that you do. Getz, 2002, p. 157

Therapeutic Recreation & Multiculturalism Many therapeutic recreation specialists are in the “unconsciously incompetent” level with respect to recognizing and addressing cultural concerns among participants that they serve.  Havitz & Floyd, 2003, p. 34 It is “morally untenable” for specialists to be unable to serve clients because they are culturally incompetent Sylvester, Voelkl, & Ellis, 2001, p. 73

ATRA Code of Ethics Principle 4 Justice Recreational Therapy personnel are responsible for ensuring that individuals are served fairly and that there is equity in the distribution of services. Individuals should receive services without regard to race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, disease/disability, social and financial status.

What should we do? Examine own culture and world-view Increase knowledge of diverse groups Develop the ability to work with culturally diverse people Design programs that are culturally sensitive Seek out opportunities to increase cultural competence

Activities Knowledge of cultural issues self evaluation What can I do to become culturally competent? How can I make my TR services culturally diverse? Resources Practice situations Study abroad