Building an Inclusive Community – Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives

Published on 10 September 2025

The Clarence Valley is home to around 54,580 people. Of this population, 4,580 people (8.5%) live with a severe or profound disability, compared to the state regional average of 6.8%.

Under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014, all councils must deliver a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) every four years. Clarence Valley Council’s current DIAP (2023–2026) sets out practical steps to remove barriers and build a more inclusive community.

What is a DIAP?

A Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) outlines the practical steps put in place by an organisation to break down barriers for people with disability and promote access to services, information, employment, and the rights of people with disability.

There are four key focus areas in the DIAP:

• To foster positive community attitudes and behaviours.
• Increase the liveability of our communities.
• Improve access to meaningful employment for people with disability.
• Improve access to services, systems and processes.

Read the 2023–2026 DIAP here

Stories from our Inclusive Communities Campaign

To shine a light on disability inclusion, Council has produced three videos showcasing local people and programs that highlight both challenges and opportunities in building a more inclusive Clarence Valley.

Bailey’s Story: Big Wave Bailey and the Beach Wheelchair

Yamba local Bailey Jensen—known to many as Big Wave Bailey—loves to surf and visit the beach. Bailey lives with cerebral palsy and shares in this video how he has come to see it as a gift:

"I look at it [living with cerebral palsy] as something that pushes me forward to do better, do great things, and help people understand if they have any questions."

Bailey has experience using Council’s free-to-hire beach wheelchair, available from Calypso Yamba Holiday Park. While it can make a big difference, Bailey stresses that the wheelchair is just one piece of the puzzle—it still requires support from at least two strong support workers.

There’s still a lot of work to be done to make Clarence Valley’s beaches more accessible to the whole community.

Bailey and Lili’s Conversation

In this video, Bailey talks with fellow Yamba local and Yaegl woman Lili. Together they share what they love most about living in Yamba—favourite beaches, days out at the pool, and spending time with support workers.

Their conversation reminds us that inclusion is also about connection, belonging, and celebrating everyday joys.

Wheelchair Basketball

Students from Valley Hope and Pacific Valley Christian Schools recently took part in a wheelchair basketball program, organised by Clarence Valley Council and Social Futures.

The program caters to children both with and without disability. Many of the students live with hidden disabilities such as autism, rather than physical disability. The program helps build empathy, teamwork, and a better understanding of the different challenges people may face.

David “DJ” Johnson from Social Futures, who helped facilitate the program, reflects:

"I learned so much from the older generation about disabilities, and the barriers just started to drop. They said, you want to try something—you do it. I’m actually proud to have a disability."

Our Shared Goal

Through our DIAP and this campaign, Council is working towards a Clarence Valley where everyone feels welcome and included.

We aim to:

• Build a culture of inclusion and acceptance for people with disability.
• Highlight accessibility as more than infrastructure—it’s also about attitudes.
• Create communities where people with disability feel respected and involved.
• Promote open conversation, education and awareness.
• Advocate for equal access to opportunities for all.

Changing attitudes changes lives. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive Clarence Valley.