Chapter 1 Understanding Diversity

CHAPTER 1
UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY
DEFINITION
• The English noun that captures of difference is the word diversity.
• Diversity is from the latin word divertere,which means to turn away,separate,oppose

(Latin Dictionary n.d)
• The Collins dictionary defines diversity as “the state or quality of being different or
varied; a variety or assortment; a point of difference; the inclusion of people of
different races,genders,religion,etc. in a group; the relation that holds between two
entities when and only when they are not identical;the property of being numeritically
distinct.”
• In the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO)

Guide on Ensuring Inclusion and Equiry in Education (2017), diversity is defined as”
people’s differences which may relate to their race,ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
language, culture,religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status.”
(UNESCO 2017)
LODEN’S DIVERSITY WHEEL

• In 1990,Marilyn Loden, an American writer,and Judy Rosener, a professor at the
graduate school in the University of California ,Irivine developed a framework to
respond to the flourishing divergence in America’s labor force.
• Their goal was to capacitate people make their voices heard by pointing to their diversity
and its impact on their person,their rights,and their freedom.(Lou and Dean 1991)
• Loden and Rosener published the book “Wokforce America! Managing Employee
Diversity as a Vital Resource”(Irwin Publishing 1991). In this book,the original version
of the Diversity Wheel model was introduced.
 The Diversity Wheel pointed to

the significance of our social
characters and the ways in which
people develop their identity when
they are able to establish a
connection with a specific group
of people.
 The primary or core dimensions are in the

inner circle.These are the stronger
ones.These are the characteristics we
were born with or established by
significant experiences we had or people
we interacted with.
 The secondary dimensions are in the outer circle.These characteristics are also part of of
our social identity,but they can change or be discarded as our life experience impact us.
 Together, the core or primary dimensions and the secondary dimensions notably affect
our prior experiences,viewpoints, and participles, giving us an exclusive mindset of the
world around us,making each one of us distinct individuals.
ABILITY AND DISABILITY AS A DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY
• Another dimension of diversity that is significant is the dimensions of ability and
disability.
• Diversity covers the limitless domains of an individual's unique characteristics,

experience, and capabilities.
• Diversity encompasses respect and tolerance of difference that enables celebration of

uniqueness.
• According to the Collins english dictionary, ability refers to the possession of the
qualities required to do something ; necessary skills or competence, or power.
• Disability, on the other hand, is defined by the world health organization ( WHO n.d.) as
the umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, and participations restrictions ,
reffering to the negative aspects of the interaction between an individual's (with w health
condition) and that individual's contextual factors ( environmental and personal factors).
• " Disabilities may affect one's sense or one's mobility; they may be static or progressive,
congenital or acquired, formal ( affecting the shape of the body) or functional l, visible or
invisible“
• The American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)-defines a person with a disability as a

person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
major life activity.
• Disabilities may affect one’s senses or one’s mobility;they may be static or

progressive,congenital or acquired ,formal (affecting the shape of the body)or
functional,visible or invisible”(Couser 2005)
THE DILEMMA OF DIVERSITY

• In this age of fast paced development where diversity plays a unique role, there are still
challenges that confront a lot of people who have been identifies as “different”
• Discrimination issues around race,gender,age and intellect still about inspite of

charters,laws,and policies that uphold diversity.
• People of a certain race are stereotyped to be of a specific character.
• Diverse ways of thinking and doing things bring in creativity and productivity.
• Innovative thinking and collaboration are encouraged when different people work to
come up with solutions to problems or challenges.
• In Schools, diversity is the best way to teach what it means to be tolerant and respectful
of each other’s differences.
• In Government,the acknowledgement that diversity is an integral component of

community equates to laws and policies being passed to look out for the welfare of
people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Diversity,therefore,is an integral component of life and living.

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CHAPTER 1

• Diversity is from the latin word divertere,which means to turn away,separate,oppose

• In the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO)

LODEN’S DIVERSITY WHEEL

 The Diversity Wheel pointed to

 The primary or core dimensions are in the

• Diversity covers the limitless domains of an individual's unique characteristics,

• Diversity encompasses respect and tolerance of difference that enables celebration of

• The American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)-defines a person with a disability as a

• Disabilities may affect one’s senses or one’s mobility;they may be static or

THE DILEMMA OF DIVERSITY

• Discrimination issues around race,gender,age and intellect still about inspite of

• People of a certain race are stereotyped to be of a specific character.

• In Government,the acknowledgement that diversity is an integral component of

• Diversity,therefore,is an integral component of life and living.

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