The TOM Toddler Mobility Trainer (TMT) Build Workshop is a unique, hands-on volunteer experience where employees assemble mobility trainers that provide young children with physical disabilities the opportunity for independence, mobility, and growth. This program is designed to give participants a direct and meaningful connection to the impact of their volunteer efforts while supporting TOM’s mission of making assistive technology radically affordable and accessible.
During the workshop, participants are divided into small groups and provided with prepared workstations, tools, and step-by-step guides. The session begins with an introduction to TOM, the TMT device, and its importance for children with disabilities. Facilitators provide safety instructions and guide participants through the assembly process. Over the course of about two hours, each group assembles one Toddler Mobility Trainer. At the conclusion, teams can sign their names on the devices, decorate them, or write cards for the child recipients. Photos are taken to capture the moment, and TOM then distributes the devices to families and institutions in need. Following the event, participants receive photos and videos of the deliveries so they can see the direct outcome of their work.
What makes this experience powerful is that it combines professional team-building with purpose-driven volunteerism. Employees not only collaborate with colleagues in a fun and constructive environment, but they also leave knowing they have created something tangible and life-changing. Unlike many volunteer activities that focus only on community bonding, a TOM Build Workshop results in a completed product that will be used immediately by children in need. The experience is designed to be accessible to people of all abilities and does not require prior technical experience.
The impact is significant. Hundreds of children worldwide have already benefited from TOM’s Toddler Mobility Trainers. The devices are durable, adaptable, and constructed with locally available materials, ensuring they are sustainable and replicable in communities everywhere. Each build produces a tool that fosters mobility, independence, and dignity for children and their families.
For companies, the Build Workshop is a way to align employee engagement with corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. It offers employees the opportunity to learn about accessible design, strengthen teamwork, and directly support children and families.
Planning for a Build Workshop typically requires three to four weeks of lead time for component manufacturing. Workshops can be held at a company site or at TOM’s innovation center. A contribution of $25,000 supports a standalone workshop producing 10 Toddler Mobility Trainers. This contribution covers all materials, transportation, staffing, tools, logistics, and post-event follow-up.
