TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers is a global movement and platform that empowers communities to design and deliver open-source, affordable solutions for people with disabilities, the elderly, and others with unmet needs. A venture of Reut USA, TOM is headquartered in New York with an innovation center in NYC and Tel Aviv and communities across more than 30 countries.
Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of their abilities or resources, deserves access to solutions ... Leia mais
TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers is a global movement and platform that empowers communities to design and deliver open-source, affordable solutions for people with disabilities, the elderly, and others with unmet needs. A venture of Reut USA, TOM is headquartered in New York with an innovation center in NYC and Tel Aviv and communities across more than 30 countries.
Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of their abilities or resources, deserves access to solutions that enable independence, dignity, and full participation in society. We exist to close the innovation gap for people whose challenges are often considered too complex, rare, or unprofitable to address through traditional markets.
At TOM, we believe that the best solutions are built *with people*, not just for them. That’s why we bring together Need-Knowers -- those who live with a specific challenge --and Makers (engineers, designers, students, therapists, and other experts) to co-create practical, real-world technologies. These solutions are designed using human-centered design, participatory co-creation, and frugal innovation methodologies. Once developed, the solutions are shared for free on our digital platform: www.tomglobal.org.
Core Programs
1. TOM University Fellowship
The TOM University Fellowship is a U.S.-based leadership and STEM innovation program that equips college students to lead design initiatives on their campuses. Fellows receive training in inclusive design, seed funding for campus projects, and yearlong mentorship. In the 2024–25 academic year, TOM is active on over 40 campuses including Georgia Tech, Stanford, Yale, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan, and more. Fellows host events like Makeathons, Build Parties, and Design Challenges, empowering peers to develop open-source assistive products for individuals in their local communities.
2. TOM Innovation Platform (https://tomglobal.org/)
All TOM-created solutions are uploaded to our open-source online portfolio. The platform hosts over 1,200 solutions and has reached thousands of makers and users globally. These solutions cover a broad range of needs -- from prosthetic arm attachments and sensory devices to adaptive tools for mobility, learning, and communication.
3. Community-Based Design Events
TOM runs “Makeathons” and “Build Parties” -- high-impact events that bring together multidisciplinary teams to create real-time solutions for individuals with disabilities. These take place in collaboration with hospitals, schools, maker spaces, and corporate partners. Events are hosted globally and often include workshops on digital fabrication, CAD, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping.
4. Digital Inclusion and Education
In addition to physical design work, TOM emphasizes education and capacity-building. We train students, volunteers, and community members in accessible design thinking and adaptive technologies. We also host a Faculty Forum and TOM Alumni Board to foster long-term engagement and ecosystem development across sectors and disciplines.
5. TOM Global Movement
TOM has a presence in more than 200 communities across six continents. These include TOM@University, TOM@Municipality, TOM@Care, and TOM@Corporate formats, which adapt TOM’s core methodology to different settings. Each community is empowered to identify local needs, develop solutions, and contribute to the global platform. Our ecosystem fosters peer learning, knowledge exchange, and long-term sustainability.
Key Achievements
* Over 1,200 open-source assistive technology solutions published and available online
* Solutions accessed in over 50 countries by makers, educators, and care professionals
* More than 7,500 individuals have participated in TOM activities since its founding
* Documented solutions cost up to 99% less than market equivalents
* More than 2,200 assistive devices manufactured and distributed to users globally
Strategic Vision
TOM’s long-term goal is to reach 250 million people with life-enhancing solutions. We do this not just through the creation of individual devices, but by building a global movement that empowers communities to solve their own challenges. From campus labs to community centers, TOM is shifting the paradigm of assistive technology, making it more inclusive, affordable, and accessible than ever before.
Corporate Engagement
TOM offers customized employee engagement opportunities, including design challenges, technical volunteering, innovation sponsorships, and co-branded build events. Corporate partners have also worked with TOM to develop real-world, field-tested products that improve lives.
Global Presence, Local Impact
TOM is proud to be based in both New York City and Tel Aviv, with design and maker communities spanning the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. This hybrid footprint enables us to scale innovation globally while grounding each solution in deeply personal, local need.
We invite corporate partners, employee volunteers, and individuals to join us in reimagining what inclusive innovation looks like. Together, we can help one—help many!
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