Co-design is more than a buzzword – it’s a fundamental human rights movement

At Feros Care, we are promoting the co-design movement within the disability services sector. This is why.

Co-design is big in the world of disability services, having been identified by the NDIA as a national priority – but at Feros Care, the whole idea of ‘nothing about me, without me’ goes far beyond just checking the box. 

It’s thanks to Feros Care team members like Mel Wanchap, Feros Care Community Development Coordinator, that it’s such a focus in the work that is done across our organisational footprint.  

Growing up, Mel experienced firsthand the challenges of living in a family impacted by disability. Her older brother and younger sister, both diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities, required significant support.  

Mel’s mother, also diagnosed later in life with autism and intellectual disability, faced isolation and poor mental health, struggling to navigate the limited support systems available. This led to difficult living conditions that affected the entire family’s wellbeing.  

“I remember the sense of isolation my family felt,” Mel recalls. “We were often left out of community initiatives and decisions that directly affected us. Support workers who failed to collaborate with my mother were pushed away, depriving us of the assistance we needed.” 

Mel’s early life experiences ignited a passion for change. When the NDIS was implemented, her family’s situation improved, providing better living conditions and proper support. Yet, Mel realised that more needed to be done to prevent other families from experiencing similar struggles. 

Originally an IT specialist, Mel decided to change careers during the COVID lockdown in 2020. She pursued post-graduate studies in disability and human services, driven by a newfound commitment to upholding basic human rights.  

“Learning about the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was eye-opening,” Mel shares. “It highlighted the importance of promoting respect for the inherent dignity of all people.” 

Mel discovered her passion for co-design, a process where people who use services work together with those who provide them to create better solutions.  

“To me, co-design is more than just a checkbox or buzzword – it’s a fundamental human rights movement,” Mel explains. “At Feros Care, we have the opportunity to drive this movement within the disability services sector, creating models that deliver real and lasting outcomes.” 

Why co-design is so important

“People with disabilities are the experts of their own lives. Making decisions without their input at each stage of the design process, relies on assumptions and risks misrepresentation,” Mel says.  

“My hope is that this approach inspires our sector to work with people rather than for them.” 

Reflecting on her childhood, Mel understands the importance of early intervention and support.  

“The lack of early intervention and support for my family showed how harmful a ‘fix it’ mindset can be. Early support could have significantly improved our quality of life, but we can’t change the past. Instead, I’ve committed to listening to people with lived experiences and working together to build inclusive communities.” 

Mel’s personal experiences drive her passion for community development and co-design. As a late-diagnosed woman with ADHD and autism, she understands the challenges of having her voice minimised. These experiences inform her work, emphasising the importance of working alongside people with disability. “Nothing about us, without us” remains her guiding principle. 

Mel’s commitment to co-design is evident in Feros Care’s projects.  

“Stage 1 of our co-design project prioritised the voices of people with disability to be the foundational values of our engagement approach, forming our co-design principles.   

“Stage 2 expanded community involvement through local working groups and national advisory oversight. These groups provide a platform for our Feros Care team to work in continued collaboration alongside their community. Providing a place where people’s voices are heard, respected, and validated, equalising the power imbalance that inhibits true community inclusion.” 

How our Local Area Coordinators are making a difference  

As National Co-design Lead, Mel supports the Local Area Coordinators as they seek guidance from those with lived experiences to provide the best support to others living with disability. 

“Through authentic connections within our team, we can model inclusivity in all our interactions,” Mel says. “Co-design is the next step forward in supporting long-term social change and empowering the disability community.” 

Mel’s mission is clear: working together to build inclusive communities for everyone.  

“By listening to and collaborating with individuals with lived experiences, we can create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.”  

Through her work at Feros Care, Mel continues to champion the importance of co-design, ensuring that people with disability have a seat at the table to shape the services that affect them. 

Through intentional engagements Feros Care is continually working with our community to help us better identify, design, and implement projects that are driven by people with disability for people with disability.  You can read all about our co-design projects here and also download our Co-Design Framework document.