The TOM Innovation Center (TOMIC NYC) is TOM Global’s national product development hub for inclusive, open-source assistive technology. Located in New York City, this flagship space is designed to take the best ideas from TOM's global and university network, from prototypes to product-ready solutions.
At TOMIC NYC, volunteer engineers, students, designers, healthcare professionals, and people with disabilities (Need-Knowers) come together to co-create radically affordable technologies that empower independence and inclusion. This is where real-world problems meet real-world design, with results shared openly on tomglobal.org.
Key Program Components:
* Advanced Product Development: We help bring promising prototypes to market-ready form, with complete documentation and testing.
* Developer Groups: Weekly in-person design sessions to build solutions alongside Need-Knowers.
* Caregiver & Educator Training: Hands-on workshops equipping therapists and educators with adaptive design skills.
* Training Hub for TOM Fellows: A dedicated space for U.S. Fellows to gather, learn, and innovate together.
Why NYC?
As TOM’s U.S. headquarters, New York City offers unmatched access to design talent, diverse disability communities, and world-class academic and medical partners. TOMIC will serve as a national blueprint -- scalable to other towns/cities -- combining inclusive innovation, education, and local impact.
Your support helps us:
* Outfit our lab with advanced prototyping tools (3D printers, electronics benches, adaptive testing rigs)
* Hire technical and program staff
* Host design events and training workshops
* Document and distribute new assistive solutions to users across the U.S. and beyond
TOMIC NYC is where bold ideas turn into tools for independence. Help us build a future where no challenge is too niche to solve.
