1. Forward

It’s a pleasure to present Clarence Valley Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2023 – 2026. I see this DIAP as a four-year roadmap to deliver improved access and inclusion outcomes for people with disability within our organisation and across the Clarence Valley.

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023 – 2026 explicitly builds on the foundational work we have done in our previous plan to increase opportunities for people with disability to participate fully in community life. Actions set out in this plan will help us achieve improved outcomes as we move into the future, ensuring that outcomes align with our Community Strategic Plan, community expectations, and the four focus areas of the DIAP: attitudes and behaviours; liveability; access to meaningful employment; and services, systems and processes.

The process to develop this DIAP has been one of collaboration and co-design with staff and community. All of the actions in this plan have been developed following internal and external consultation with people with disability, their family, carers, friends, disability service providers, community groups and other engaged and interested community members. Thank you to everyone who generously shared their experiences, insights and suggestions. Your input informed this DIAP and I can confidently say the actions and outcomes within the plan reflect community aspirations and priorities.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our Clarence Valley Access Committee, who meet regularly to give Council advice on access and inclusion issues in our region. It is a real benefit to Council to have input and advice from community members with lived experience and knowledge. I’d like to thank current and past members of the committee for their service and dedication to improving access and inclusion outcomes in the Clarence Valley.

Our leadership team is committed to improving access and inclusion in the Clarence Valley so people with disability can live a meaningful life and enjoy the full benefits of community life. This plan continues our commitment to work with community towards universal access and inclusion for all.

Black General Manager