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Cultural Competence
Over the past several years, demographics have significantly shifted across the United States. According to the Census 2000, approximately 1 out of 5 Americans over the age of 5 speaks a language other than English in the home.
Culture is dynamic, and we must continually upgrade our knowledge and skills to improve our ability to provide culturally appropriate services. Our professional development in this area will help us recognize the client as a whole and provide services that will increase the effectiveness of the client’s communication.
These Web pages were developed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs to assist ASHA and NSSLHA members in furthering their cultural competence. Have you got it? Ask yourself the following to get started thinking about what it all means:
What does it mean to you?
How did you first get it?
What resources or resource people did you find helpful to get it?
How have you applied your knowledge of it?
What have you done to help others get it?
Please take a moment to visit the ASHA Forums to share your thoughts with us. Read what other members consider it to be, what it means to them, and how they're getting it.
In addition, some resources have been developed to assist you as you reflect on cultural competence.
CCC: Cultivate your Cultural Competence [PDF]
Self-Assessment for Cultural Competence
Learn about empowerment through volunteering at ASHA and how it can help you to gain cultural competence.