Current and Emerging Issues

1
Current and Emerging Issues

• This class will focus on two current and emerging
  issues
• Part 1 Serving ethnically diverse audiences
  will become increasingly more important as the
  demographics of NC and the nation continue to
  shift
• Part 2 Serving individuals with disabilities
  will become more of an issue as/if disabled
  individuals and advocates begin to request even
  greater participation in programs.

2
Planning Programs
to Break Down Cultural Barriers
This material on ethnicity can culture is taken
from Guion, L.A., Broadwater, G., Caldwell, C.,
Chattaraj, S.C., Goddard, H.W., Lytle, S.S.
(2003). Strengthening programs to reach diverse
audiences. Six-unit curriculum peer reviewed by
a national panel, rated/scored, and accepted into
the National 4-H Collection of Juried
Experiential Youth Development Curricula.
http//www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/4h_curric.h
tm.
3
What is Culture?
The thoughts, ideas, behavior patterns, customs,
values, skills, languages, arts, and faith or
religion of a particular people at a given point
in time.
4
What is Cultural Competence?
The ability of individuals to respond
respectfully and effectively to people to all
cultures, in a manner that recognizes, affirms,
and values individuals, families, tribes, and
communities and protects the dignity of each.
5
Cultural Competence
Includes the development of ones
? ? ? Mind-set
Heart-set Skill-set How we THINK
about diversity How we FEEL about
diversity How we ACT around diversity
Replaces thats the way we have always done it
mindset with if it makes us more responsive,
relevant, and effective, lets try it!
6
Culture
physical distance
eye contact
space
time
gestures
touch
body language
silence
7
IndustrializedSocietyValues
Agrarian SocietyValues

• Competition and individual achievement
• To the point, direct communication
• Dominant over nature
• Future oriented
• Emphasis on nuclear family

• Cooperation,teamwork, and group achievement
• Nonverbal and indirect communication
• In harmony with nature
• Past oriented
• Emphasis on extended family
• Continued ?

8
IndustrializedSocietyValues
Agrarian SocietyValues

• Independence and individuality
• Time management and punctuality
• Eye contact (especially when listening)
• More relaxed touching opposite sex (than same
  sex) in public

• Interdependence and putting the group first
• Time is generously shared
• May avoid eye contact as a sign of respect, etc.
• More relaxed touching same sex (than opposite
  sex) in public

9
Building Meaningful Relationships
Breaking Down Cultural Barriers

• Atmosphere of Trust
• Respect and Understanding
• Knowledge of Culture
• Appropriate Publications
• Community Involvement
• Culturally Sensitive Language
• Mindful of Naming Traditions

10
Cultural Guides
Getting Your Foot In The Door

• An insiders point of view can benefit
• Program Planning
• Activity Design
• Ethnic Marketing
• Locating Assets

11
Finding Common Ground
Connecting Across Cultures
Be mindful of real life needs, location,
transportation, child care, time of program,
cultural holidays, respectful dress, visual aids,
language barriers, and cultural norms.
12
Other Barriers That Must Be Removed

• You need to plan your program to serve audiences
  that are
• Limited Resource
• At-Risk
• Physically Disabled
• Learning Disabled
• Strategies
• Talk with direct supervisor and/or EEOC Officer
  to get advice and guidance.

13
Part 2 Serving Individuals with Disabilities

• Extension is a publicly funded organization.
• Programs can not discriminate against an
  individual who fall in the federal protected
  classes (age, gender, race/ethnicity, disability,
  etc.).

14
Serving Individuals with Disabilities

• NC Extension operates as a unit of NC State
  University.
• NC State University is a Title II facility under
  the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). NCSU,
  located in Raleigh, and at numerous sites
  throughout the state, is required to provide
  access to all programs, services, and activities
  that are sponsored by the University or a
  designee of the University.

15
Americans with Disabilities Act Serving
Individuals w/ Disabilities

• The University is also required to declare its
  willingness to accommodate persons with
  disabilities in its public notices.
• Willingness to provide alternate formats for
  information is required under terms of the ADA.
• The regulations of the ADA apply to all County
  Extension Offices and to research and education
  centers
• If you would like more info on ADA requirements,
  go to http//www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

16
Accessibility Serving Individuals with
Disabilities

• It is the responsibility of the
  coordinator/educator of a public event, workshop,
  demonstration, field day, etc., to insure that a
  reasonable effort has been made to secure a
  location which is physically accessible.
• Physical limitations of access, such as poor
  sound or lighting lack of parking, stairs,
  raised surfaces, and platforms, lack of
  elevators, etc., should be noted so that any
  potential accommodation requests may be handled.
  Wherever possible, a site that accommodates
  wheelchair accessibility should be considered.

17
Accommodations when Serving Individuals with
Disabilities

• The ADA permits sponsoring units to offer
  accommodations requiring the least effort first.
• Accommodations typically requested include
  assistive listening devices, alternative
  publication formats, sign language interpreters,
  assigned seating, help to a seat, and closed
  captioned tapes.
• The sponsor unit is responsible for finding and
  funding services to accommodate requests

18
General Program Strategies for Serving Youth with
Disabilities

• 4-H Programs with a Focus on Including Youth with
  Disabilities. This article that discusses this
  project can be found at http//www.joe.org/joe/20
  02april/a4.html
• Creating Inclusive 4-H Environments for People
  with Disabilities. This article that discusses
  this topic can be found at
• http//www.joe.org/joe/2004august/a1.shtml

19
Strategies for Serving Youth with Disabilities in
4-H Horse Programs

• Accommodating Youth with Disabilities in 4-H
  Horse Programs
• The article that discusses this topic can be
  found at http//www.joe.org/joe/2005april/iw6.sht
  ml

20
Where to Get Help Serving Individuals with
Disabilities

• Consult your direct supervisor for guidance,
  assistance and to learn about resources within
  your organization and community to aid you in
  serving individuals with disabilities.