Adapted from the Greater Vancouver Island Multicultural Society Cultural Competence Self Assessment Checklist. That checklist was created with funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
This self-assessment tool is designed to explore individual cultural competence. Its purpose is to help you to consider your skills, knowledge, and awareness of yourself in your interactions with others. Its goal is to assist you to recognize what you can do to become more effective in working and living in a diverse environment.
The term ‘culture’ includes not only culture related to race, ethnicity and ancestry, but also the culture (e.g. beliefs, common experiences and ways of being in the world) shared by people with characteristics in common, such as people with disabilities, people who are Lesbian Bisexual, Gay and Transgender (LGBT), people who are deaf, members of faith and spiritual communities, people of various socio- economic classes, etc.) In this tool, we are focusing on race, ethnicity and ancestry. However, remember that much of the awareness, knowledge and skills which you have gained from past relationships with people who are different from you are transferable and can help you in your future relationships across difference.
Read each entry in the Awareness, Knowledge and Skills sections Place a check mark in the appropriate column which follows. At the end of each section add up the number of times you have checked that column. Multiple the number of times you have checked “Never” by 1, “Sometimes/Occasionally” by 2, “Fairly Often/Pretty well” by 3 and “Always/Very Well” by 4. The more points you have, the more culturally competent you are becoming.
This is simply a tool. This is not a test. The rating scale is there to help you identify areas of strength and areas that need further development in order to help you reach your goal of cultural competence.
Remember that cultural competence is a process, and that learning occurs on a continuum and over a life time. You will not be asked to show anyone your answers unless you choose to do so.
While you complete this assessment, stay in touch with your emotions and remind yourself that learning is a journey.
Awareness
Never (1 point), Sometimes/ Occasionally (2 points), Fairly Often/ Pretty Well (3 points), Always/ very well (4 points)
