"Labels don't define us"

“Labels Don’t Define Us” is a song about accepting diversity produced by students and staff at The Woden School, Canberra, Australia. The school is a supported high school and college setting, providing education for students with diagnosed disabilities, including autism and/or intellectual disability. The Woden School is an Australian Capital Territory Public Education Specialist School, where student voice is celebrated and high expectations are set. Learning programs are structured by modifying and adjusting the Australian Curriculum to meet the individual needs of each of our students. The school has a strong social inclusion philosophy.

The idea behind the song began when the class teacher Sasha Posthuma-Grbic began working with the class around the topic of disability. Many students had very little experience discussing their diagnoses from an educational perspective. What Sasha found most confronting was the shame and embarrassment many of them exhibited when discussing their “label”, as well as a lack of understanding about what it meant for them as an individual. The students explored inspirational figures such as Temple Grandin and Dr. Rosie King, who speak openly about their diagnosis, empowering others to feel comfortable in their own skin. Through open discussions, confidence building activities, and intensive social-emotional support, the student’s individual self-acceptance has grown dramatically over time. This past semester the year 9/10 English unit was “Creating Texts”, and in discussions with the class, decided to create something that would become an inspiration to others, and so the idea for the song was born. The lyrics were developed naturally through class discussions and encouraging peer-to-peer conversations, using the concepts that had been discussed and building them into rhyming verses and a chorus.

All students involved are between the ages of 13-16 and have a diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disability. The students were involved in every single aspect of the project from the song writing, music production, filming and video editing. It was their final project for the semester. Sasha says “It’s been incredible to see them take ownership over the project.” The video and music production was supported by The Woden School’s Youth Support Worker, Luke Ferguson. Luke and Sasha worked with the students in the school’s small studio, recording the vocals of each member of the class. Luke got the studio footage, and Sasha worked with the students to capture the outdoor footage of them with peers throughout the school.

The
lyrics to the song are full of messages such as “everyone is different, no need
to feel shame”, “what makes you different, makes you a star”, all focussing on
the idea of embracing and celebrating difference, as well as being open and
honest about disability. “It is only after becoming comfortable with discussing
the topic and listening to the voices of those living with disability that we
can embed disability education in schools” according to Sasha.

The school’s Principal, Ian Copland, believes education is key, and when people are empowered to be open about what was once shunned, we can pave the way for a fully inclusive society. It must begin with understanding each other and knowing how best to support one another in an increasingly complex world. The school’s philosophy is epitomised by this song and the involvement of the students in its production. Sasha teaches her students that “Whenever you can, expose yourselves to neurodiversity, physical diversity, and diversity of all kinds… Essentially, the message is one of acceptance, empowerment and inclusion of people living with a “label”.

Source: The Woden School, Australia