Organizational self-assessment is a necessary, effective, and systematic way to plan for and incorporate cultural and linguistic competence. An assessment should address the attitudes, behaviors, policies, structures, and practices of an organization, including but not limited to, those of its board, staff, faculty, consultants, contractors, advisory groups, and volunteers. The process should also elicit the experiences and opinions of the individuals and communities served.
While there are many tools and instruments to assess organizational cultural and linguistic competence, few have been developed to address the cross-section of organizations concerned with disability. The Cultural and Linguistic Competence Assessment for Disability Organizations (CLCADO) was developed specifically for this purpose.
The CLCADO is intended to support organizations to (1) plan for and incorporate culturally and linguistically competent values, policies, structures, and practices in all aspects of their work; (2) enhance the quality of services, supports, and advocacy provided to diverse and underserved communities; (3) effect change in education, training, technical assistance, research, and public policy; and (4) advance cultural and linguistic competence as an essential approach to address racial and ethnic disparities and promote equity for people who experience disabilities and their families.
