Delyse Clayden Advocacy

19/01/2026

Inclusion Carnival 2025

Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

What happens when you ask students what inclusion really means to them?

In late 2025, with support from Developmental Disability Western Australia (DDWA), we set out to answer that question—and the result was our very first Inclusion Carnival, held in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

Because when people feel included, they thrive.

Student-Led from the Start

The carnival didn't begin on event day. It began weeks earlier, when we invited students across the school to share their ideas and opinions. What did inclusion mean to them? What did they want to see?

Giving students a genuine voice in decisions that affect them isn't just good practice—it's foundational to their sense of belonging, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.

A Day for Everyone

On carnival day, we opened our gates to parents, caregivers, and the wider school community. The atmosphere was one of togetherness—families connecting, neighbours meeting, and students proudly sharing what they'd helped create.

Activities were designed to nurture the whole child: cognitive, emotional, fine motor, and gross motor development—while sparking curiosity, creativity, and self-expression. Every activity invited participation, not perfection.

Stronger Together

None of this would have been possible without our village. Volunteers gave their time generously. Staff engaged in professional learning to deepen their understanding of inclusive practice. Parents and caregivers showed up—not as spectators, but as partners.

This is what community looks like: people coming together to support every child's right to belong.

Just the Beginning

The Inclusion Carnival is more than an event—it's a commitment to building a school culture where wellbeing and belonging sit at the centre of everything we do.

When students shape decisions, they develop agency. When families engage, connections deepen. When communities gather around shared values, everyone benefits.

This is just the start. Come see what's possible.

Credits

Produced by Ethan Clayden Media

Inclusion Festival design by Delyse Clayden Advocacy

Southwell Primary School Principal Naomi Greaves

Supported by Narelle Lemon and She Speaks (funded by Department of Communities, WA Government)

Funding support from Developmental Disability WA

What happens when you ask students what inclusion really means to them?In late 2025, with support from Developmental Disability Western Australia (DDWA), we ...

13/01/2026

https://www.shespeakswellbeing.com/she-speaks-podcast/making-sense-of-the-hard-bits-of-parenting-counting-your-spoons

Please have a look at the wonderful podcast by She Speaks I have been involved in. Not only do I have a mini-series with my mentor and friend Professor Narelle Lemon, but the other podcasts are powerful and a must hear!

Enjoy! Delyse Clayden Education and Research

Counting Your SpoonsSeries 3 Episode 2 OverviewDownload the audio and find on all your fav platforms.She Snippets for She Speaks Podcast Series 3 — Making Sense of the Hard Bits of ParentingEpisode OverviewSome people seem to have endless energy. Others don't. And some days, you wake up already ru...

12/01/2026

https://ambitionsupport.com.au/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPRwfJjbGNrA9HBg2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHp1K6XAi7pzKtqs9qu7pai-FS7Fl_52sC3BbHH-9tsgKFGXt80mPtSRICG2J_aem_BotQcg4PIK563YiMXu9dgg

This amazing company is run by a good friend of mine and I can not recommend him enough. A man of integrity, love and faith. Well done Yogesh Maru !!!

Support coordinators from Ambition Support Services gave a detailed overview of my NDIS plan and connected me with appropriate service providers. I am very satisfied with their assistance.

21/12/2025

Have a look at my research page for ideas on using student voice for self-advocacy in 2026 when developing IEP's/documented plans.

So here in research land, things have been a bit slower, as we wrap up the year. But here is a little graphic of how you can start your next school year using the VOLUME program to develop you relationships with your students and their documented plans or IEP's.

Contact me if you would like some help in 2026 to get your student voice program flying in the right direction!

18/11/2025

And that’s a wrap!

18/11/2025

As a disability advocate, I meet a lot of families when they are desperate and struggling. It never stops being heartbreaking when I hear that professionals have dismissed them, questioned their parenting or their own mental health.

Today I met an adorable little man that obviously needs some support but services are focusing their attention on the parent because little man seems happy and sociable.

Let me make this clear - you can be autistic and like being around people. You also can have a previous mental health diagnosis and be an exceptional parent.

If a parent goes as far as 1) seeking a diagnosis and 2) looking for an advocate, it means they need help.

Asking for help is not easy to do. You want to be everything for your child. It hurts when you are not enough. You take it personally. You think you have failed. Of course you haven't, but it is not an easy road. And it is expensive and time consuming.

How about we start acknowledging the effort from parents and carers who reach out, rather than interrogating them and making them doubt themselves.

And to those warrior parents and carers out there, well done, keep it up 👏👏👏

06/10/2025

Before I could type I had to listen to people make me out to be some kind of subhuman; uninterested in others, in a different world, void of deep emotions and complex thoughts. I was a charity case or a burden. Never thought to be an equal and my perspective never considered.

While I sometimes become sad about not being able to talk and live more independently, what makes life so painful and tragic is actually the way people dehumanize, mistreat, and demean people like me.

If we could listen to nonspeakers and denounce hate speech against them, and allow them to lead the conversation about their own lives, the future for everyone will be much, much brighter. I love all of me, despite the many people who can't see me and make it so hard to live my best life.



[Image: Brown, curly faux-hawk Bri with headphones, sitting on interior steps, in a black tee with white writing and various chewable necklaces. Wearing gray pants and blue and orange sneakers, and blue, black, and clear spiral cord bracelets.]

06/10/2025

06/10/2025

Look, I know a lot about a small amount of things, but what I do know, is that educators need to put in effort for their students as if it was their own kids being treated in a certain way.

What do I mean by this? If your own child was deaf or hearing impaired, would you expect certain reasonable adjustments? Yes? Then provide them for your students. If your own child was autistic, would you expect certain accommodations? Yes? Then provide them for others. And if they are deaf and autistic, you would want all of the necessary accommodations too right?

This isn't a trick question. It is actually quite simple. Stop making students with complex disabilities choose which need is higher. It isn't like they can stop one to allow the other to be supported. It isn't a choice. It is basic human need and right to access education. Anyone pretending it is not that simple is not trying hard enough. This isn't about money. We know that battle is a side quest. This is about effort, understanding and commitment to being the best educator you can. And if you are not sure - here, look at the UDL for some advice!

05/09/2025

Join us this September for the Student Voice in Action Symposium — a virtual gathering of students, educators, researchers, and changemakers from around the world. Over two weeks and eight interactive sessions, we’ll explore how student voice is being activated in classrooms, schools, communitie...

05/09/2025

I have the privilege of speaking at this symposium next Thursday, but don't wait for me! There are many amazing speakers throughout the 2 weeks! Do yourself a favour and check it out!

18/08/2025