Tikkun Olam Makers

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is a worldwide community of makers that builds and open-sources affordable assistive technology for people living with disabilities and the elderly. The initiative is described as a movement seeking to create affordable solutions to the challenges of being disabled or elderly. Through its platform, TOM Global, the community shares hundreds of free designs that can be downloaded and reproduced locally, lowering the cost of assistive devices that are often expensive or unavailable through conventional markets. TOM operates by connecting people with disabilities (known as "need-knowers") with volunteer makers, engineers, designers, and health professionals who collaborate to develop custom solutions. These solutions range from simple physical aids to more complex electronic and mechanical devices. The resulting designs are published openly so that others around the world can replicate them, adapting them to local materials and needs. The organization is structured as a global network of local communities and chapters, often hosted by universities, makerspaces, and community centers. This decentralized model allows TOM to scale its impact across different countries and contexts while keeping costs low and fostering local innovation. TOM's work aligns with the broader "tikkun olam" concept from Jewish tradition, meaning "repairing the world," reflecting its mission to address social and accessibility challenges through collaborative making. The initiative has grown into an international movement with participants from diverse backgrounds, all contributing to a shared library of open-source assistive technology. By making designs freely available, TOM aims to empower individuals and communities to create their own solutions, reducing dependence on costly commercial products and increasing access to essential assistive devices. The platform serves as both a repository of designs and a hub for collaboration, learning, and community building.

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) was founded in 2014 in Israel by Gidi Grinstein, a social entrepreneur and founder of the Reut Group. The initiative emerged from the idea of applying the concept of "tikkun olam" (repairing the world) to the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the elderly, who often lack access to affordable assistive technology. The first TOM event, known as a "makeathon," was held in 2014, bringing together makers, engineers, and people with disabilities to develop custom solutions over a short period. This model proved successful and was replicated in subsequent years across Israel and internationally. By 2015, TOM had begun expanding globally, with makeathons and communities forming in various countries. The organization established partnerships with universities, makerspaces, and disability organizations to host local chapters. The TOM Global platform was developed to share designs and facilitate collaboration across the network. In the following years, TOM continued to grow, adding hundreds of open-source designs to its library and engaging thousands of volunteers worldwide. The organization has been recognized for its innovative approach to assistive technology and social inclusion, receiving support from various foundations and corporate partners. As of the early 2020s, TOM operates as a global movement with communities in multiple countries, focusing on scaling its impact through open-source sharing and local capacity building. The platform remains dedicated to making assistive technology accessible and affordable for all.

• 2020

  TOM Global platform hosts hundreds of open-source assistive technology designs.

• 2015

  Global expansion begins with makeathons and communities forming internationally.

• 2014

  Tikkun Olam Makers founded in Israel by Gidi Grinstein.

• 2014

  First TOM makeathon held, bringing together makers and people with disabilities.

Open-source, community-driven assistive technology for accessibility and inclusion.

• Open-source assistive technology designs

  Free designs for assistive devices available for download and local production.

• Custom assistive devices

  Devices developed through makeathons to meet specific individual needs.

1. 1TOM Global - Tikkun Olam Makerstomglobal.org
2. 2Tikkun Olam Makers - Wikidatawikidata.org