Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the differences among individuals based on their personal experiences and attributes.

A person's culture may include their race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, nationality, language, religion, political affiliation, and socioeconomic background. Additionally, cultural norms may be influenced by these differences, such as peer and social group interactions and family or community values.

Often, cultural and linguistic diversities are mentioned together (CLD). While cultural diversity may often include linguistic diversity, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Special educators must be culturally responsive to all students, especially those students with disabilities whose culture may influence their educational decisions and outcomes.

Related Materials

Behavior Today Newsletter 39(4)

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If you’re like me, and particularly if your professional life revolves around schooling in any form or capacity, you look forward to summertime each year. You do this with the undying hope it brings a break from at least some traditional duties, a more relaxed pace, and time to catch up on some professional and personal tasks you just didn’t have time for during the school year but promised to catch up on once summer arrived and things slowed down. And, if you’re like me, you probably cringed or even laughed out loud before you finished reading the previous sentence.
Publish Date: 
September 02, 2022

Related Topics

Disproportionality
Diversity in the Field
English Language Learners
Linguistic Diversity

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