Everyone has a role to play in making the Northern Beaches more inclusive and accessible. And many of our local businesses are leading the way in adapting their products and services to suit the needs of our whole community.

Applications for this year’s Disability Inclusion Award are now open. So if you know a local business or have a business that has gone above and beyond to be inclusive and accessible to people with disability, submit an application now before Wed 13 Jul.

One business making accessibility a part of their everyday is Plié Groove‘n’Shuffle, a School of Performing Arts and All Star Cheerleading Club in Cromer, which won our Disability Inclusion Award last year for their amazing work.

We spoke to Plié Groove‘n’Shuffle’s Vicki Clare, who told us why inclusion is so important to them.

In what ways is Plié Groove’n’Shuffle inclusive and accessible for everyone in our community?

Although all of our recreational classes are open to anyone who wants to dance, sing or cheer, we recognise that young people living with special or additional needs benefit from classes that are tailored to their strengths, adjusted to their various needs and supported by a team of teachers and assistants to create a safe and enjoyable environment. 

Plié offers two special programs at our Cromer campus- CheerAbility and DanceAbility. These programs have been designed to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and determination, experience joy and success, and participate in the social aspects of friendship and teamwork in a safe and encouraging environment.

Both our CheerAbility and DanceAbility program participants have the opportunity along with all our Plié teams to compete at regional, state and national level competitions. They are a loved and important part of our studio community and have the best time - they have even been crowned State Champions!

Why is inclusion important to you, your business and staff?

Giving back to the community has always been important to me. I am an incredibly proud member of our Northern Beaches community, and recognise the important and essential role small business owners have to improve accessibility and inclusion for our community, especially for those living with special or additional needs.

Our amazing teaching team at Plié are not only skilled dance teachers but wonderful open-hearted people who choose to donate their time and expertise to providing opportunities for our accessibility programs and participants. Some of our teenage dance and cheer students also volunteer their time to assist our kids in these programs which really fosters inclusion. 

Everyone deserves to feel part of something! We have an amazing community at Plié, and I am so proud to have been able to open our community to the young people involved in our programs. The smiles and hugs we get each week when they come to class are simply the best!

How did it feel to win Northern Beaches Council’s Disability Inclusion Award last year?

Winning the Disability Inclusion Award in 2021 was the proudest moment in my professional life. For 25 years I have strived to create a community within my dance studio which fosters both accessibility and inclusion. To finally be in a position to be able to offer programs in my small business where I can both fund and facilitate activities to include and involve young people living with special or additional needs is an incredible feeling.