We are now accepting applications for participants to form interdisciplinary teams. Teams will be curated to ensure representation from student, faculty and professional designers, manufacturers, makers and entrepreneurs, business coaches, and end users from the limb loss community.
The 2026 Challenge:
Brainstorm and prototype new adaptive apparel, accessories, and equipment for the limb loss and limb difference community.
Event Schedule
Selected participants must commit to both sessions.
Part 1: Virtual Kickoff & Knowledge Sharing
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Friday, September 11, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Online via Zoom)
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Key Program Highlights: Guest lecture on "Ableism in Design," inclusive design training, and team assignments.
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4:00pm Welcome and settle
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4:15pm "Ableism in Design" - Ani Grigorian, Ani G Accessibility
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5:15pm Inclusive Design - Design Core Detroit
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5:45 pm The Challenge: manufacturing constraints; team assignments
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6:00pm Team breakouts: introductions and brainstorming
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6:15pm Questions and what to expect on Saturday
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6:30pm Goodnight
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Part 2: Hands-On Prototyping & Pitch
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: College for Creative Studies, Taubman Center for Design Education, Detroit
Key Program Highlights: Collaboration stations, rapid prototyping, and final pitches to a panel of experts.
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8:30am Doors open; Breakfast, networking, and empathy stations
*New this year, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan will have empathy stations available throughout the day for Jam participants to practice various tasks that often challenge people with disabilities.
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9:30am Welcome, recap Friday, Run of Show
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10:00am Wild Thinking
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11:30am Lunch and empathy stations
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12:30pm Narrow Things Down
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1:00pm Build a prototype and develop your pitch
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3:30pm Pitches, Votes and Awards
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4:00pm Wrap up, networking and happy hour refreshments
Event Schedule & Information
Design Jam takes place over two sessions, a virtual training on Friday afternoon, followed by the hands-on workshop, hosted in person on Saturday. Attendance required at all sessions.
Day 1: Virtual Kickoff & Knowledge Share
4:00PM - 6:30PM on Zoom
4:00PM
11 Sept
Welcome & Intros
Overview of the Design Jam Process
4:30PM
11 Sept
Inclusive Design Trainings
With sessions led by experts in adaptive design and accessibility, learn practical tools for how to approach the design process.
5:45PM
11 Sept
Team Assignments & Breakout Rooms
Meet your team, get your project brief and ask questions.
Day 2: Virtual Kickoff & Knowledge Share
9:00AM - 5:00PM in person
8:30AM
12 Sept
Breakfast, introductions, networking & collaboration stations
Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan will have empathy stations available throughout the day for Jam participants to practice various tasks that often challenge people with disabilities.
12:00PM
12 Sept
Build Phase: Rapid Prototyping
Work with your team to build your prototype. Participants will have access to College for Creative Studies and Industrial Sewing And Innovation Center experts and equipment as they build their ideas.
4:00PM
12 Sept
Final Prototype Pitches
All teams present their finished products to a panel of experts and the group as a whole.
