Chapter 1: Understanding Diversity

FOUNDATIONS OF SPECIAL AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

MR. PAUL LESLIE M. REMO, MAED
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the meaning and significance of diversity;

2. Demonstrate the use of Loden’s Wheel of Diversity;
3. Reflect on one’s self-diversity;
4. Support diversity as a positive component of relationships,
education and organizations.
It is the uniqueness of each one that
is the root of diversity.
What is diversity?
 Latin – divertere = turn away, separate,
oppose.
 It is the state or quality of being different
or varied; a variety of assortment, point
of difference; the inclusion of people of
different races, genders, religions, etc. in
a group; the relation that holds between
two entities when and only when they
are not identical; the property of being
numerically distinct. (Collins Dictionary)
What is diversity?
 “Diversity is 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’s Guide on Ensuring Inclusion and
Equity in Education (2017)
Why is diversity important in the
present times?
Let us not repeat the history…
Loden’s Diversity Wheel (1991)
 The Diversity Wheel, by Marilyn Loden, pointed to the significance of
our social characters and the ways in which people develop their
identity when they establish a connection with a specific group of
people.
 The wheel consists of primary or core and secondary dimensions of
diversity.
 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. These core dimensions or attributes are the least
likely to change.
 The secondary dimensions are in the outer circle. They can change
or be discarded as our life experiences impact us. They are
influenced by people we encounter, places we go to or live in, and
experiences we go through.
 Together, the core or primary dimensions and the secondary
Loden and Rosener’s Diversity
dimensions notably affect our prior experiences, viewpoints and
Wheel (Loden 1991)
principles, giving us as exclusive mind-set of the world around us,
making each one of us distinct individuals.
 How to use the diversity wheel?
 Loden (1991) states that, “The Diversity
Wheel is useful in explaining how group-
based differences contribute to
individual identities.”
 The function of the wheel is to
encourage people to talk and discuss
with each other and generate new
points of view among each one in the
group.
 In the two dimensions of the wheel,
each individual is made aware of
his/her differences.
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Primary:
Results of the Survey
Secondary
Results of the Survey
Secondary
Results of the Survey
Secondary
Results of the Survey
Secondary
Results of the Survey
Secondary
Results of the Survey
Secondary
How did the results change your
perspective?
The RICR Principle (Loden 1996)

Respect Inclusion
 It is treating others the way they  It is making certain everyone on
wish to be treated; the team is truly a part of the
team’s decision-making process
The RICR Principle (Loden 1996)

Cooperation Responsibility
 It is actively helping others  It is managing personal behaviour to maintain a
succeed rather than competing or diversity-positive environment and questioning
attempting to one-up someone; inappropriate behaviour when it occurs
What are the common stereotypes in the
Philippines? Are these helpful?
Major Output 1:Circles of My Cultural Self

Create a short video

Ability (and disability) as a dimension
of diversity

“WHO defines a person with disability

as a person who has a physical or
mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more major life activity.
This includes people who have a
record of such an impairment, even if
they do not currently have disability. It
also includes individuals who do not
have disability but are regarded as
having a disability.”
 Ability (and disability) as a dimension
of diversity

 Disability is umbrella term for impairments,

activity limitations, and participation restrictions,
referring to the negative aspects of the
interaction between and individual (with a
health condition) and that individual’s
contextual factors (environmental and personal
factors). This definition underscores that
disability is not only a health issue, but also an
issue that affects a person’s state in life and the
environment he/she is in.
Locate the disability…
Changing perspective on disability

Nick Vujicic Stephen Hawking

Andy Avellana
#SmileStrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uS48fe7pKg
Dilemma of Diversity
Situation 1
1. In some workplaces, women and people of
color are still discriminated against and not
given positions in management or
administration.
2. People of a certain race are stereotyped to
be a specific character.
3. A number of times, Muslims have been taken
aside in immigration and interrogated.
4. Non-married and same-sex couples are still
not accepted in some parts of the world.
5. In some schools, children with special needs
are shunned with the reason that they are
not ready for school yet or are not suited for
the school.
6. Children from indigenous groups have to go
through an educational system that does
not consider their ethnic background,
needs, and values.
Diversity is an integral component of life and of living.
Situation 1
1. In more workplaces, there are systems and
processes put into place to intentionally
promote diversity.
2. 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.
3. In schools, diversity is the best way to teach
what it means to be tolerant and respectful of
each other’s differences.
4. 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.
Situational Practice:

You plan a relay game for your class.

While you are explaining the
mechanics of the game, one student
raises her hand and says she can’t
do a particular task in the game
because she has a prosthetic leg.
How will you respond to this situation?
Situational Practice:

A parent asks to see you. He

demands that you take out the
crucifix inside your classroom
because the religion they belong to
does not believe in the crucifix. He
insists that his child is being taught
the wrong values. How will you
respond to the parent?
Major Output
Create a poster with a slogan about diversity.