For a disability services provider, the principles of putting co-design into practice include:

• Valuing lived-experience, knowledge and skills
• Engaging a diverse group of clients and staff throughout the organisation to be involved in identifying purpose, problems and solutions
• Trusting clients and sharing information and ideas openly; and
• Empowering clients to contribute as equal partners in problem-solving, decision-making and implementing improvements.

The main principle of co-design is ‘Nothing about us without us’.

Co-design requires an organisation to be ready, capable and committed and to invest significant time and resources.