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How It Works

Submit an Idea

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Submit an Idea

If you need a solution or have an idea for an assistive device that doesn't yet exist in the MMC Assistive Devices Library, you can Submit an Idea and collaborate with volunteers to create a new design.

Submitting an idea is the first step toward turning that need into a potential open‑source solution. Once you share your idea, it will be reviewed by the MMC team to ensure it fits our scope and community guidelines. Approved ideas will be added to the list of Design Challenges, where volunteer can collaborate with you to design and prototype a solution. Ideally, with successful collaboration and documentation, the final design may be added to the Assistive Device Library, making it available for others who could also benefit from it.

Other Ways to Participate

Submitting an idea is a great option when existing designs don't meet your needs and you're open to partnering with volunteers to create a new design. Depending on what you need, one of the other MMC processes may be better suited:
  • Request an Existing Device
  • Work on an Existing Design Challenge
  • Submit a Completed Device Design
    • If you’ve already developed a working design and want to share it with the community, you can submit the design files and documentation for review and possible inclusion in the Assistive Device library using the Submit a Device form, under My Profile → My Device Submissions → Submit a Device Design.

Ready to Submit an Idea?

Refer to the next section for detailed information on each step.

Step 1: Check the MMC Device Library

Search the MMC Device Library to check that your idea isn’t already available. You can search by device type, disability type, and keywords.
Screenshot of the MMC AT library

Step 2: Confirm the Device Fits the Scope

Designs in the MMC Library are intended to be practical, assistive devices that can be safely used by people with disabilities and built by volunteers. All designs must have an appropriate open-source license, allowing them to be used, built, and improved upon.
 
Makers Making Change does not publish projects that involve:
  • Medical devices, mobility-related systems (e.g., power chair controls), emergency or alert devices (e.g., emergency call bells) , or any other safety-critical applications.
  • Highly complex design that volunteers would not reasonably be able to develop and/or build.
Please ensure that your idea fits these scope guidelines. Refer to the Terms of Use for about engaging with the website and community. Makers Making Change reserves the right to determine whether a submission is appropriate for publication and development.

Step 3: Create an Account

Log-in or sign-up for a Makers Making Change Account.
Screenshot of the Makers Making Change log in screen

Step 4: Gather Information and Submit Your Idea

Before submitting your idea, take some time to gather information that will help the MMC team review your idea, and help potential volunteers understand the need and explore potential solutions. To get ready, think about and collect the following:

  • Idea Name - A short title that clearly describes your idea. Provide a brief descriptive name for your idea. This will appear as the title if your idea becomes a Design Challenge.
  • Summarize the Idea in One Sentence - A quick one-line overview of the problem or solution. Write a single sentence that explains the core of your idea. Keep it simple: what is the device, and what does it help with?
  • Full Description - A detailed explanation of your idea and the need it addresses. Describe the problem you’re trying to solve and what the device should do. Include useful details such as dimensions, features, environment of use, challenges the user faces, or any existing solutions that aren’t working. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for volunteers to understand and explore your idea.
  • Intended Use - How and where the device will be used. Explain the main task the device should assist with. Include details like the specific activity, setting (home, school, workplace), frequency of use, and any important safety or durability considerations.
  • Primary User - Who will use the device? Describe the person who will use the device, including relevant functional needs, age range, and abilities that the design should accommodate. This helps volunteers tailor the solution to the user’s real‑world needs.
  • Would you like to be contact for - Choose how you'd like to participate if your idea becomes a Design Challenge.
    • Clarification - You may be contacted if volunteers need more information to fully understand your idea.
    • Co-design - You want to actively participate in shaping the solution alongside volunteer makers, sharing feedback, answering questions, and helping guide design decisions.
    • User Testing - You want to try prototypes and early versions of the device and share feedback to help improve the design.

Once you've gathered this info, Go to the Design Challenges page and select “Submit an Idea”. Complete the form with the information you gathered.

Step 5: Wait for Idea to be Reviewed

The MMC team will review your idea and notify you of the outcome. Your idea will either be:
  • Accepted as a Design Challenge, where it’ll be published publicly for volunteer designers to take on
  • Rejected

Note: We receive many idea submissions, and we appreciate your patience as we carefully consider each one.

Step 6: Design Challenge

If your idea is posted as a Design Challenge and taken on by a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate together on the design and refine it to a potential solution. The whole experience is completely self-directed, so the pace is entirely up to you and your volunteer.
While we hope every Design Challenge results in a solution created, we cannot guarantee a final device or outcome. Please see our Terms of Use for details.