Frequently asked questions

Assistive technology refers to tools, devices, or systems designed to help people with disabilities perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. At TOM Melbourne, we focus on creating practical, affordable, and innovative solutions that address unmet needs and make daily life more accessible for everyone.

We rely on the generosity of sponsors, grants, and community donations to keep our programs running. Through philanthropy, we’re able to offer free participation for Need-Knowers, and volunteers generously donate their time and expertise to help create meaningful solutions.

No, we do not design or produce medical devices or technologies that pose risks to health or safety. Instead, we focus on everyday challenges related to hobbies, communication, daily living, etc.

Open source designs are freely and publicly available for people to modify or replicate. The designs developed and documented through our programs are published open source via our website, These may be early concepts and ideas or more detailed design files describing how to make the design. This allows others worldwide to replicate, modify, or enhance the designs for their own use or communities. Some designs are simply shared in the public domain, whereas others are published under open source licenses, such as Creative Commons CC-BY or CERN OHL

Yes! Our open source designs are available for you to use, modify, or replicate in your community.

We focus on everyday challenges rather than medical devices or highly specialised needs. Please note that we do not take on mobility aid adaptations, challenges that require assistive technology to bear the body weight of an individual, or solutions that rely on electronics. If you’re unsure whether your challenge fits our criteria, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to assess whether it’s a good fit for our program and provide guidance.

Some solutions may be prototyped during a single event, but others may take additional time to refine or develop. It all depends on your challenge and how complicated it might be.

Yes! Whether you’re a family member, carer, or healthcare professional, you can submit challenges on behalf of someone else.

We welcome challenges from individuals, families, and organisations alike.

We collaborate with universities, maker spaces, community organisations, and disability service providers to host events, develop solutions, and expand our reach. Please get in touch if you are interested in partnering with us.

Organisations can sponsor events, provide space or materials, or participate in co-design and solution development. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

Absolutely! We welcome challenges from organisations looking to improve accessibility or solve specific problems for their community.

Our events are held in various locations across Melbourne and online. Check our website for upcoming events near you.

No, we’re very flexible! You’re always welcome to join in person, but if you can’t or don’t want to, you can still participate through online meetings, phone calls, or emails – we’ll work with you to find an approach that suits you best.

We accept a wide variety of challenges that improve daily life, including hobbies, communication, cooking, art, gardening, and more. For example, we’ve designed adaptive gardening tools, accessible art easels, and solutions for easier home organisation. However, we cannot work on medical devices or equipment that could pose safety risks.

While our team is committed to doing their very best to design and prototype a practical and impactful solution tailored to your needs, we cannot guarantee that it will be fully functional or complete by the end of the program.

Thanks to philanthropic funding, grants, and community support, there’s no cost to you. We can even help reimburse travel costs if needed.

Yes! The solution developed during the event will belong to you, designed specifically for your needs – provided the solution passes a risk assessment and is deemed safe to deliver. While we can’t guarantee a fully developed solution at every event, we always strive to create something meaningful and functional to address your challenge. Additionally, all solutions are open source, meaning they will be documented and shared so others can build or improve upon them in their own communities.

Absolutely. We encourage carers, family members, support workers or friends to join the process, as their insights can be invaluable in creating the best solution for your needs. Support animals are also welcome to attend events or meetings, ensuring you’re fully supported throughout the experience.

Of course! We welcome people from all backgrounds, including designers, health professionals, hobbyists, tradespeople, and anyone passionate about innovation and making a difference. Whether it’s brainstorming, crafting, testing, or documenting solutions, there are many ways you can contribute to our projects and help make an impact.

As a volunteer, you’ll:

• Collaborate: Work in small teams with people from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
• Problem-Solve: Tackle real-world challenges in areas like communication, mobility, hobbies, home life, and more.
• Create: Help design and build prototypes that directly impact those who need them most.
• Share: Contribute to our open-source repository, making solutions available to others worldwide.

By volunteering, you’ll:

• Make a tangible impact on someone’s life 
• Collaborate with a diverse and passionate team 
• Work on unique, meaningful projects that directly improve accessibility 
• Have fun and learn new skills in a supportive, creative environment

No prior experience is required. We’ll guide you through the process and provide resources to help you along the way. Each team is carefully curated to include members with diverse skills, ensuring every area of the project is covered—from technical expertise to creative problem-solving. You’ll have plenty of support and collaboration throughout the journey.

Your donation supports the development of assistive technology, the running of events, and the creation of open-source solutions. Every dollar goes toward making a meaningful impact.

Yes, we offer sponsorship opportunities for specific Makeathon events or programs. Contact us for more details.

Yes, donations are tax-deductible. You’ll receive a receipt for your contribution.

Yes! We’re always looking for tools, materials, technology and venues that can be used in our events or product development.