New assistive technology (AT) is at our disposal for improv- ing the everyday life of people in need. Yet, the current way how AT is produced and provisioned is hindering certain marginalised groups in the population, particularly elderly people, to get access to it. To expedite time-to-market, reduce costs, and increase accessibility to otherwise unattainable AT, we explore if do-it-yourself (DIY) could be a feasible and desirable alternative to commercial applica- tions. We provide answers to the following research ques- tions: (1) For whom does the DIY approach work in the context of assistive technology? (2) Under which circum- stances do DIY work? and (3) How can researchers make DIY a satisfying experience? The evidence we collected dur- ing the “iCare” project suggests that DIY attracts both, elderly people with a need-based motive and a hedonic motive. It also shows that a participatory approach and an early engagement with potential users, their family mem- bers, and informal caregivers is beneficial for improving design and use-related aspects of the AT and the DIY intervention.