‘Dream Costume’ initiative offers Purim costume tutorials for disabled kids

An Israeli NGO has created a series of innovative tutorials to help parents of disabled children create home-made Purim costumes for youngsters in wheelchairs, strollers or walkers.

The Dream Costume initiative has been launched in time for the festival by disability pioneers Beit Issie Shapiro, in partnership with industrial design students from The Holon Institute of Technology.

In what is described as a unique project, the costumes have been designed to highlight the childrens’ mobility aid and “make them feel magical”.

Each tutorial includes a step-by-step video clip, clearly written instructions and ofpen-design patterns to download and print at home.

They are available is available on Beit Issie Shapiro’s website and YouTube channel.

The Holon Institute of Technology students were each paired with a child who uses a mobility aid to bring their costume dreams into reality.

Adi Shpigel, Director of Social Impact Projects at The Holon Institute of Technology, said: “We realized the incredible demand of this initiative and wanted to ensure that every child, in Israel and around the world, can feel like a star in their costumes.

“We created this tutorial series to bring inclusive design expertise and know-how into everyone’s home in an accessible and affordable way with easy to follow instructions to cater to the need and make sure all children can enjoy the holiday.

“The open-design templates will allow us to reach even further and allow families to benefit and connect through the creativity process.”

Ahmir Lerner, Beit Issie Shapiro Executive Director added: “We are proud to partner with The Holon Institute of Technology for this important project which helps foster inclusion in the community.

“By sharing the know-how to create adaptive costumes, and for the first time making it accessible to families around the world, we hope to create true impact in our society and bring Purim-joy for people with disabilities.”