What if you could help build a more inclusive world?

(Courtesy of CIJE) Barbara Sehgal, a STEAM mentor at the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), invites students and educators to consider this question as they embark on a powerful new learning journey. This spring, CIJE launched a hands-on, values-driven program that empowers students to design and build adaptive mobility solutions for children with disabilities, sparking empathy, innovation and impact along the way.

For over a decade, Sehgal envisioned bringing Go Baby Go, a nationally recognized grassroots movement, to Jewish day schools. With the resources and support now available through CIJE, that dream is becoming a reality.

Go Baby Go modifies child-sized motorized ride-on cars to meet the unique needs of young children with mobility challenges. These custom adaptations offer both independence and joy and vital developmental benefits, at a fraction of the cost of traditional medical equipment. Powered mobility devices can cost over $4,000 and are not covered by medical insurance. A Go Baby Go car typically costs just $350, dramatically increasing access for families.

CIJE’s approach builds on the work of long-time Go Baby Go leader Professor Michele Dischino of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). Inspired by founder Dr. Cole Galloway, Dischino has led a CCSU team that has modified more than 300 cars since 2015. When Dr. Galloway suggested that CIJE reach out to Dischino, it sparked a valuable partnership. Dischino helped train CIJE mentors and has played a key supporting role as the program evolves for classroom settings. “Our mentors found the workshop with Professor Dischino incredibly meaningful—not just for the technical skills we gained, but for the heart behind the work,” Sehgal shared. “We were so moved by the stories and real-life impact on the children’s lives that we couldn’t just train—we had to act. That’s why we came together to build and donate cars ourselves. It reminded us why this work matters so deeply.”

What sets CIJE’s program apart is the creation of the first formal Go Baby Go curriculum unit for schools, integrating science, engineering, inclusivity education and Jewish values over a two- to four-week learning arc. It goes far beyond a single workshop—engaging students deeply in real-world problem solving, empathy building and teamwork.

“We’re asking students to see others through the lens of dignity and possibility,” Sehgal explains. “This isn’t about feeling sorry—it’s about designing for real needs and believing in every child’s potential.”

The curriculum challenges students to go further than many programs by not only integrating advanced design and technical skills, such as circuit building, mechanical modifications and 3D printing. It also places strong emphasis on customization—with students working alongside physical therapists to ensure every car fits the individual child’s needs.

Professor Dischino praises CIJE’s vision: “Integrating Go Baby Go into the classroom allows students to truly explore the engineering behind the build. They gain confidence, technical skills and a sense of purpose. That combination is incredibly powerful.”

Dischino also notes that Sehgal’s experience as a middle school educator helped refine the program’s classroom pacing and approach—making it easier for teachers to deliver meaningful lessons, not just one-off builds.

Many recipient families integrate the cars into their children’s daily routines, using them during meals, playtime and other activities. Unlike strollers, these cars enable independent movement control, granting children a sense of autonomy often previously unavailable to them.

Mrs. Weber, the mother of one recipient, 3-year-old Naftali, shared, “Naftali is thrilled with his car! Now that the weather is nice, he loves riding around. Sometimes we even get a quick joy ride in the morning before his bus comes. He is a champ—a little man in a car! The car empowers him and gives him the ability of being mobile in a cool, socially acceptable way.”

Equally important is the effect on the students doing the building. “They start out unsure,” Dischino shares, “but as soon as they see the car work—and the smile on the child’s face—they realize their knowledge can change lives. It’s unforgettable.”

CIJE is partnering with several organizations to deepen and broaden the program’s reach. Yachad is bringing inclusivity workshops to participating schools, HASC (Hebrew Academy for Special Children) is receiving custom-built cars for its students, and ITEEA (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association) is supporting the national rollout of the curriculum.

“As part of our mission to support individuals with disabilities, we believe strongly in the power of community education,” said Rebecca Schrag Mayer, Yachad’s director of talent development and volunteer engagement. “With CIJE’s Go Baby Go curriculum and our sensitivity training, students gain a real understanding of what it means to create an inclusive world.”

Globally, Go Baby Go has made waves—in Israel, the largest chapter builds 7–10 custom cars each month. CIJE’s efforts are now poised to join this broader movement in a deeply meaningful way, grounded in Jewish learning and values.

At its core, Go Baby Go reflects the Jewish principle that every human being is created B’tzelem Elokim—in the image of God. By putting that belief into action, this initiative builds more than cars. It builds connection. It builds purpose. And most importantly, it builds a world that welcomes everyone.

Want to be part of this movement? CIJE is seeking sponsors to help bring Go Baby Go to more schools and children in need. Every $350 donation puts a child behind the wheel of independence. Help make inclusion go further. Email BSehgal@thecije.org to learn more.