Bridging Voice Annual Report 2021

2021 annual report

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table of contents

3 Who We Are
4 Message from Our Board Chair
5 The Challenge
6 Our Philosophy
7 Our Model
8 Our Impact 2019-2021
11 New Jersey Initiative
12 Training Programs
13 Innovations
15 BV Testimonials: Amanda Pitruzzello
16 BV Testimonials: Mary Ehret
17 Financials
18 Our Team

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who we are

WE BELIEVE

the ability to connect and
communicate with family, friends,
and the broader world is a critical
component of the human experience.
No diagnosis should be allowed to
rob an individual of this possibility.

OUR
MISSION

is to enable and empower
people with ALS to

communicate by removing
the barriers between them
and assistive technology.

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message
from our

board
chair

My first encounter with a Bridging Voice client changed my life. I who worked directly with Governor Murphy and his family to bring
was apprehensive and intimidated when I initially confronted his Bridging Voice to every ALS patient in the state. Bridging Voice will
reality. After an amazing afternoon of discussion, enabled by his eye never abandon a client and the board has guaranteed that we will
tracker, I truly understood how Bridging Voice unlocks the life of the continue to serve all existing New Jersey clients after the initial grant
mind. I left him with a commitment to do whatever we can to help is fully utilized.
bring Bridging Voice services to as many clients as possible.
Our future plan is to replicate the success of our New Jersey
This was all enabled by an incredible team that inspires me every public/private partnership model in other states and countries. To
day. The team never says no to a client and never lets a seemingly accomplish such an ambitious goal we are reaching out to donors
insurmountable issue overcome it. I have been privileged to work who may be inspired to transform the lives of ALS clients, their
with some of the world’s most creative and effective technologists. families and their community. We’re also significantly ramping up
That being said, I have never worked with such a small group of our educational initiatives to ensure we have additional experts who
individual experts who have had a more transformational impact can assist clients in real-time as we expand. From a standing start,
on the lives of others. The fact that the Bridging Voice team does we have now hosted 6 education sessions to empower over 300
this with compassion and commitment, rather than for profit, only caregivers and professional clinicians over the past 6 months. We
makes their work that much more inspiring. will continue to ramp up and improve this initiative so that no ALS
patient is ever deprived of our services.
I was particularly concerned that our high-touch, individualized
engagement model would not survive the pandemic. Most of our For those who may not already be familiar with Bridging Voice I
clients were completely isolated and we could not gain physical encourage you to check out the videos on our website. They will
access to them. likely humble and inspire you at the same time.

Nachum, Karina and the team worked tirelessly to convert our in- Sadly, the client I referred to at the beginning of this letter survived
person operating model to a 100% virtual engagement. The results the pandemic in complete isolation, but ultimately succumbed to
have been nothing short of spectacular. As of today, we have served ALS. Before he died he wrote the following using his eye tracker. We
1,105 clients in 10 countries and 15 languages. That number is will never forget him and the impact he has had on so many people.
growing every day.
“Because separated from my eye gaze computer, I am largely
The team continues to innovate and you’ll read about several helpless. I use the machine as a nurse call bell. I use it to speak.
exciting developments in the following report. For example, the I use it to text and email. I use it to access the internet. I use it to
integration of eye tracking with a caregiver call bell has literally operate the television in my room. Without it, I speak only to God.”
prevented untold misery. Nachum’s invention is named the Angell
Bell to honor the memory of a treasured client who recently We truly appreciate your interest and support. Please reach out to
succumbed to the disease. me directly or any member of our team if we can be of service to
someone you may know or if you would like to learn more about the
I also need to call out a remarkable group of donors in New Jersey work we do.

Sincerely,

Peter Bloom 4
Board Chair & Co-Founder

Every 90 minutes the challenge
someone is
ALS can leave a person’s
diagnosed, and cognition intact while
another dies
from ALS destroying their ability to
move and communicate.
Without assistive technology
these individuals are left
unable to express even their

most basic needs.

Assistive technologies can Lack of awareness about
help. These technologies available technologies

can be very effective Complicated process of
in restoring a person’s accessing the technology
ability to communicate,
but there are gaps that Inadequate support and
prevent these services training to help individuals
from being successfully successfully use these
technologies
deployed:
Lack of customizations to
meet individual needs 5

» People should ALWAYS be able to
communicate

» Simple interventions can make a
HUGE difference

» Technology is a tool,
communication is the solution

» A personalized approach is often
the key

» Never give up!

our
philosophy

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our model

Bridging Voice assists people with ALS with their computer access
and communication technology needs at every juncture.

We educate clients, their families and health practitioners on
available communication options, streamline the process of
accessing special technologies, and provide ongoing support,
training, and customization to maximize every client’s quality of life.
Through our holistic approach, we help lift the technology burden

off their shoulders.

services

education

We support clients remotely in their homes to determine
the best technology for their needs.

resources

We guide clients in the best and most affordable way to
obtain the technology they need.

training & support

We provide ongoing training and technical support, helping
clients get the most out of their cutting edge devices.

customizations

We create customized solutions and innovations to ensure
every individual is getting the most out of their technology.

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our impact 2019-21

1000+ 10
countries
ALS clients served
Argentina,
46 Canada, India,
states
Israel, Iraq,
that our clients Mexico, Morocco,
receive. We believe
Switzerland,
follow up and Peru, Saudi
ongoing support is Arabia, the UK, &

critical the USA

12+
average
services

>12,000

including remote support and training total services
sessions provided via video, phone, provided
texting and email.
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our clients 2019-21

46% 54%
female male

14 our 91
youngest
years old years old
client
our

eldest
client

30 across the United States that help
referral us identify ALS clients that need our
partners support.

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Paul As a recipient of your services and
on behalf of all people with ALS, I
want to thank you for helping us
live instead of just being alive.

Ellen I have ALS which limits the use of my
Alberto hands. I have been a teacher and
am a writer. Through the patience,
expertise, and kindness of Eddy
Ehrlich at Bridging Voice, I have been
able to write an 84 page manuscript.

I can’t tell you what an amazingly
wonderful moment it was when,
after not seeing our grandkids
in person for over a year...we all
gathered and read out loud pages
of recollections she had typed on
the Tobii about her childhood,
expressed in the form of letters to
our grandkids and our son. Simply
magical.

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new jersey
initiative

In 2021, Bridging Voice launched our first
state wide initiative in New Jersey, thanks to
the ReNew Jersey Fund.

This program provides Bridging Voice’s services FREE of
CHARGE to every ALS patient residing in the state of New
Jersey.~400 ALS patients across the state as well as over
4,000 family members, friends and caregivers.

New Jersey will serve as a model for other states and
prove a replicable model that can bring communication
and technical support to every person living with ALS
across the country.

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training programs

Virtual SLP 3 New
Training Mentorship Evaluation

Series Clinics

Monthly zoom Support for Bridging Voice
trainings for clinicians, individual collaborates with
ALS patients and their Speech Language hospitals to help them
Pathologists (SLPs) establish new AAC/ALS
family members. to learn more about Evaluation Clinics.
Assistive Technology.

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innovations

THE ANGELL BELL

The Angell Bell was created by Bridging Voice to give people
with ALS living in care facilities the ability to use their eye

trackers to ring a nurse call bell. This gives users the ability
to call for assistance when they need it.

The Angell Bell is named in honor of Jean Angell who lived
with ALS for 22 years and was an inspiration to everyone
who knew her. To honor Jean, Bridging Voice provides the

Angell Bell to any ALS client completely free of charge.

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Bridging Voice is always evaluating the newest technology.

Pictured: Bridging Voice’s Technical Director trialing Brain
Control Interface (BCI) technology.

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BV testimonials

Amanda Pitruzzello
Speech Language Pathologist

“Bridging Voice is truly an inspiring
organization. I came across Bridging Voice
in my pursuit to find a loaner device for
my patient with ALS. Due to insurance
coverage constraints…I had no high tech
AAC options available for my patient that
needed it. Additionally, as a newer speech-
language pathologist in my field, I had limited
experience in working with communication
devices. However, I came to Bridging Voice for
help and they were incredibly supportive from
the very beginning.

Bridging Voice collaborated with other ALS-
support organizations in order to secure a
loaner device for my patient. Once the device
arrived, the main focus of Trinity and Debra
at Bridging Voice was to set my patient and
I up for success. We received support and
training in regards to eye-gaze device setup
and maintenance. They also provided me with
techniques/resources on how to in-service
our medical staff in order to ensure adequate
device use.

Most importantly, because of Bridging
Voice, my patient was given the resources
to communicate with their loved ones and
caregivers again. As my patient reached the
end of life, they communicated their heartfelt
goodbyes all thanks to their eye-gaze device.
Bridging Voice made a huge impact on the
life of my patient and on my professional
development as a growing clinician. I am
grateful for their support and efforts.”

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BV testimonials

Mary Ehret
ALS Client

“Bridging Voice has given me back a function that
I thought was gone forever. I was diagnosed with
ALS in June of 2020. Later, I lost my voice. I was
paralyzed. Communication was using a letter
board and eye gestures. My world had narrowed.
Then my doctor referred me to Bridging Voice.
Deb is wonderful and all of the team members
that I have met are caring and compassionate.
They have worked with me to get a loaner
eye gaze device for communication. Deb has
continued to assist me in gaining proficiency and
using the system. As well as was working with my
insurance company to obtain approval to get my
own device.
Overall, I have had an outstanding experience
with everyone at Bridging Voice. I have gained
control of my ability to communicate and it has
given me a new world view. Without Deb, Bridging
Voice, and their never ending help I would not
have been able to write this message. Thank you
for all you do.”

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financials

2020 2021

Revenue Revenue
Individual.........$694,536 Individual........................$488,513
Grants..............$50,000 Grants.............................$20,000
Total.................$744,536 ReNew Jersey Fund*...$1,037,998
Total................................$1,773,331
Expenses
Total.................$668,469 Expenses
Total.................$854,466
Expenses in 2021
*ReNew Jersey funds were recorded
in 2021, but will be used over the 2
year grant period for our New Jersey
Initiative

In-kind donations of assistive
technology $226,820

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our team

Bridging Voice Board

Peter Bloom Yehuda Neuberger Hilda Applbaum
Board Chair Board Vice Chair Board Member

Nomi Bergman Justin Ginsburgh
Board Member Board Member

Bridging Voice Staff

Trinity Deibert AAC Specialist 18
Eddy Ehrlich Assistive Technology Specialist
Operations Manager
Tracie Hudgins Technical Director
Nachum Lehman Programming Consultant
Devorah Mandelbaum Executive Director
Social Media Manager
Karina Nagin Clinical Director
Lena Rudnick
Debra Zeitlin

Learn more about how you can get involved!
www.bridgingvoice.org

Email [email protected]
Phone (718) 313-0030
Mailing Address 2132 84th St, Brooklyn NY 11214

@BridgingVoice

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