Sensitivity Training

Cultural Diversity,
Sensitivity and Awareness
Presented By Sarah Page

The College at Brockport State University of New York
What is Diversity?
– Knowing how to relate to those

qualities and conditions that are
different from our own and outside
the groups to which we belong.
(Universidad de California Agricultura y Recursos Naturales)

What is Culture?
– The customary beliefs, social forms, and

material traits of a racial, religious, or
social group
– The set of values, conventions, or social

practices associated with a particular field,
activity, or social characteristic
Merriam-Webster
What is Cultural Sensitivity?
– Being aware that cultural differences and similarities between

people exist without assigning them a value – positive or
negative, better or worse, right or wrong.
– Being aware that cultural differences and similarities between

people exist and have an effect on values, learning and
behavior.
– A set of skills that allows you to understand and learn about

people whose cultural background is not the same as your own.
(NYC Human Resources Administration, Department of Social

Services)
Orientation Stages
Denial Polarization Minimization

-Find very small and obvious -Viewing the other culture as -No effort to “fit in”
differences among people feeling superior
-Starts to realize commonalities
-The only thing noticed is a -”They are what they are, and I -Not letting cultural differences
person's gender, age and color am who I am” viewpoint affect responsibilities
-Belief that nothing needs to -The belief that you can relate -Treat everyone with respect
change to another culture by knowing regardless of their culture
what is right and wrong
-Belief that getting to know -Help others to see the positive
coworkers is a challenge and good in other cultures

Orientation Stages
Acceptance Adaptation
-We are different but there is no right -Enjoy learning about other cultures
or wrong -Taking a moment to acknowledge
-Productive conversations are had differences in cultures before hand
surrounding the cultural significance of -Adapting information to the cultural
specific beliefs/viewpoints needs of an individual or group
-Accepting difference and learning to -Making sure that people of different
work through it (language barriers) cultures can contribute to discussions
and are heard and understood

How Can We Be Aware?
– Go into a situation with an open mind

– Avoid pre-judging
– Respect differences
– Keep yourself educated
– Visit cultural centers, eat at culturally diverse restaurants
– Maintain an inclusive and comfortable atmosphere
– Have a friend or colleague give an outside opinion
– Be observant of how people react to you
– Have you caused offense unintentionally?
– Encourage and be open to feedback
Scenarios
1) A client walks in whose primary language is Spanish, and is having

a hard time understanding you
2) An elderly woman walks in and is looking for help with her

grandkids, she seems confused about how to receive services and
asks a lot of questions
3) A student comes in and wants to help a classmate. He knows that

they are going from friend to friend each night, but they are
scared to ask for help because of the backlash they would get
from their parents
What to Take Away
– Approach people in your job with empathy and understanding and

always be a good listener first
– Look for innovative ways to promote diversity
– When in doubt, defer to those in another culture to show you proper
manners and customs
References
– http://www.wvseniorservices.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=POG%2FM4ZUF5w%3D&tabid=92
– https://www.commisceo-global.com/images/files/cultural-awareness-manual.pdf
– https://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/pdf/fac_leadership/december_gilbert.pdf
– http://www.dhs.state.or.us/tools/diversity/tools/cctools-managers.pdf
– https://www.proceedinc.com/_media/PROCEED_EPICProgram_Facilitator_Guide_StandardizedC
CTraining_June2012_1.pdf
– https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ochia/downloads/pdf/cultural_sensitivity_wkshp.pdf

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Cultural Diversity,

Sensitivity and Awareness

Presented By Sarah Page

– Knowing how to relate to those

(Universidad de California Agricultura y Recursos Naturales)

– The customary beliefs, social forms, and

– The set of values, conventions, or social

– Being aware that cultural differences and similarities between

– Being aware that cultural differences and similarities between

– A set of skills that allows you to understand and learn about

(NYC Human Resources Administration, Department of Social

Denial Polarization Minimization

(Universidad de California Agricultura y Recursos Naturales)

(Universidad de California Agricultura y Recursos Naturales)

– Go into a situation with an open mind

1) A client walks in whose primary language is Spanish, and is having

2) An elderly woman walks in and is looking for help with her

3) A student comes in and wants to help a classmate. He knows that

– Approach people in your job with empathy and understanding and

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