With more than 6,600 children diagnosed yearly with developmental delays, the topic of inclusion is not as widely discussed as it should be. What do we do when we see someone with special needs in need, what can we do to make our environment – both work and play – a more accessible one for all? And even if we do know how, are we actually doing it?
At Superhero Me, we are championing inclusion through a multidisciplinary collective – everyone has different skill sets to offer, no matter where you come from, you can always practise inclusion.
That’s where Superhero Me comes in to walk the talk. This multidisciplinary collective comprises individuals from different sectors with different backgrounds, coming together to focus on one goal – advocating for inclusion through the arts. We speak to Marvin Tang, 33, director and lead producer at Superhero Me, as he shares with us his insights on what it takes to be inclusive, and how Superhero Me is using the arts to tackle issues surrounding disability and inclusion.
“The idea of collaborating with someone with special needs simply means wanting to create that safe space for them to work on a project with various forms of support. At Superhero Me, we are championing inclusion through a multidisciplinary collective – everyone has different skill sets to offer, no matter where you come from, you can always practise inclusion. Ultimately, it’s about the relationships formed between people of diverse abilities and how it shapes our perspectives. Our goal is to educate so that people are not fearful of those with special needs and can take some basic steps to include them,” says Marvin.
Originally established as an early childhood costume crafting programme for preschoolers from low-income neighbourhoods, they swiftly transitioned their focus to offer inclusive arts programmes for children. Nine years later, Superhero Me has easily connected with over 40,000 people through various kinds of programmes, partnerships and content forming a community with a shared interest in inclusion, who take part as producers, facilitators or artists. They have also successfully organised a multitude of art programmes and events – these include festivals, workshops, jamming sessions and exhibitions.
Art itself is such a wonderful medium for collaboration, and there are so many ways to access it regardless of the different needs and motor functions.
Superhero Me empowers these children through inclusive arts. Art can be used as a powerful tool to express oneself, and special needs children are no exception. It also promotes confidence and increases motivation through a cultivated sense of satisfaction when creating art. “Art itself is such a wonderful medium for collaboration, and there are so many ways to access it regardless of the different needs and motor functions. Through inclusive arts, we can support a mutually beneficial creative opportunity between disabled and non-disabled collaborators to create high-quality art that challenges existing perceptions of what can be achieved. This creates an opportunity for creative advocacy, allowing children to take the lead in advocating for themselves,” shares Marvin.
Honestly, being inclusive is an extension of practising kindness and consideration. It’s a muscle we have to exercise constantly so we get better at using it.
Being inclusive also comes in the form of both big and small actions. “It doesn’t matter what sector you’re from. You can practise inclusion in any situation. For example, if you're a retail staff and someone with special needs comes into your store, what can you do to help ensure the environment is non-discriminatory and welcoming for them? Having people that are experienced and confident in interacting with the special needs community sets an example for others and builds confidence among everyone. For artists like myself, we can consider how we can make our exhibition or workshop more accessible for all, to allow different ways of participation and appreciation. Honestly, being inclusive is an extension of practising kindness and consideration. It’s a muscle we have to exercise constantly so we get better at using it,” says Marvin.
Most of us are generally aware of the different types of disabilities but without more in-depth research, our knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg. There is still a lot of education that can and should be done. “The reality is that people don’t know the definition of these terms – high needs, spectrum of autism, etc. Disability is so diverse, I hope we can spend more time understanding the needs of different disabled communities rather than prescribing a blanket solution for their needs,” he says.
Doing our part to support Superhero Me starts from small acts like simply sharing their cause with friends. “We found a lot of people who joined us came from word-of-mouth. Also sharing the knowledge of the inclusion language and what are some good practices that you can adhere to if you encounter someone with special needs really helps spread the word,” Marvin says.
If you have interest or skills that you think would come in handy with their programmes, you can reach out for an opportunity to work with them directly or collaborate on different projects depending on what’s happening at the moment. Alternatively, donating or buying their products contributes to their programme funding directly.
For those interested in volunteering, they can sign up for the Captains' Programme, a specialised training that equips individuals with the inclusive art approach. Through this programme, volunteers gain the confidence to work with children with special needs and develop the skills necessary to facilitate inclusive experiences among children of diverse abilities. On top of the programme, they’ve also collaborated with artists who are looking to utilise their expertise to contribute.
Additionally, new programmes are in the works aimed at addressing a wider range of issues. Marvin says, “This year, Superhero Me entered into a partnership with Rainbow Centre where we come together as inclusion partners. With this partnership, it will enable us to work towards our ambition to enable others to be inclusive, learn more about issues surrounding disability, and expand our portfolio of community development and advocacy work. But at the heart of it, we are just excited to do what we love and work with more friends with diverse disabilities.”
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