MAKEATHONs
A Makeathon brings together people with disabilities and a diverse team of volunteers—engineers, designers, health professionals, tradespeople, and tinkerers. Working side by side, they co-design prototypes to tackle real challenges and improve everyday life.
The designs are then shared open source via the TOM website to help others with similar needs. Participation is free for everyone.
Applications closed on April 21st for our upcoming event 👇
Join our MAY-JUNE MakeathoN
We’re rethinking how we run our Makeathons! Instead of a high-intensity weekend, we’re spreading out the process over multiple weeks—giving teams more time to think, tinker, and refine solutions.
Are you passionate about design, problem-solving, and accessibility? We’re bringing together makers, designers, engineers, health professionals, and creatives for a Makeathon focused on making fabric work more inclusive.
The challenges
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This event will tackle two unique but complementary challenges. Each team will focus on one challenge but will share insights and feedback across both projects.
​​​​Sewing & Fashion: Partnering with Bayley Arts, we’ll create tools to help individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities guide fabric while machine sewing. We’ll work with their artists and staff to create assistive tools for accessible fashion design. Most communication will go through TOM: Melbourne, rather than direct contact with volunteers. ​
​​​​​Ironing Accessibility: We’re working with Michelle who irons with one arm and needs a weighted tool to help her iron safely and efficiently (school uniforms and pleads are particularly tricky). This is a more straightforward, yet equally impactful challenge focused on safety, stability and usability. Michelle lives in Queensland so communication with her will take place online.
WHAT TO EXPECT
✅ Flexible involvement: You don’t have to attend every session—join the parts that interest you most! Let us know in your application.
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✅ Mix of discussions, prototyping, and testing: Some sessions will focus on brainstorming and concept development, while others will be hands-on making.
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✅ Ideal for: Makers, designers, engineers, creatives, health professionals (like OT/PTs), disability advocates, or anyone interested in accessible design or sewing.
HOW IT WORKS
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We’ll be running a design sprint over 6 sessions across 9 weeks, with key sessions including:
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Kick-off – Thursday May 1, 6pm – 8pm
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Problem Formulation & Idea Generation – Saturday May 10, 10am - 2pm
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Concept Development & Prototyping Begins – Thursday May 22, 6pm - 8pm
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Induction at makerspace - date tbd
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Refining Prototypes – Saturday June 14, 10am - 2pm
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Testing & Evaluation – Thursday June 26, 6pm - 8pm
Initial sessions will take place at TOM: Melbourne’s office in Cremorne. As we progress, we’ll evaluate together what space, materials, and tools are needed to develop the prototypes.
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GET INVOLVED
Applications closed on April 21st.
Have questions? Contact us
