# VoiceBridge AAC Bridge Fund — Pilot Memo (Example, Based on Illustrative Cases) **Note:** This is a **filled example** using the 7–8 sample cases that were loaded into the impact tracker for demonstration purposes. It follows the exact format and content expectations from the Minimum-Effort Launch Model. In a real pilot, replace all data, vignettes, and recommendations with actual referrals and 30-day outcomes. Publish only after the evidence gate (first 8–12 grants or 90 days). **Version:** Example 0.9 — For illustration and donor/partner orientation only **Period covered:** Hypothetical May–July 2026 pilot slice **Prepared by:** Founding Directors + Lived-Experience Review Circle --- ## Executive Summary In the first phase of the VoiceBridge AAC Bridge Fund pilot we received 8 referrals through 4 partner organizations and approved 6 grants totaling $2,544 CAD (average $424 per approved grant). Five of the six funded supports were reported as usable for their intended communication purpose at the 30-day check. One case revealed a previously unknown device failure; another surfaced a school transportation policy barrier that the grant itself could not solve. Key learning: Small, fast grants (often under $500) produced outsized functional gains for children and working-age adults when the item was the exact missing link (keyguard + mount, app license + setup, repair parts). However, systemic barriers (provincial wait times, school policies, end-of-life hardware) frequently remain even after the grant is made. **Recommendation:** The model works for its narrow purpose. We should continue the Bridge Fund at similar or modestly increased volume while beginning light navigation support conversations with partners on the recurring systemic gaps. We should **not** yet launch a training program or clinic. --- ## Numbers at a Glance - Referrals received: 8 - Grants approved: 6 (one referral resolved via existing program after our involvement; one declined after rubric review) - Total approved: $2,544 CAD - Average approved grant: $424 - Median time from complete referral to decision: 3–4 days (well under the 7-day target) - 30-day usability confirmations received: 6 of 6 funded cases - Usable at 30 days (Y): 4 - Partial (P): 1 (school policy barrier remained) - Not usable (N): 1 (device failure discovered during/after setup) - Most common need categories funded: AAC app (2), Case/Keyguard/Mount (2), Repair/Parts (1), Tablet setup (1) --- ## What Was Funded (with outcomes) 1. **VB-2026-001 — Keyguard + mount (Toronto AAC Clinic)** — $485 12-year-old with CP. School iPad + TD Snap trialled successfully but accessories not covered. **30-day:** "Installed and working well at school and home. Big reduction in frustration." **Y** 2. **VB-2026-002 — Proloquo2Go license + setup (Aphasia Centre Ottawa)** — $320 Adult post-stroke. First reliable system in years. **30-day:** Using core boards daily for needs and yes/no. Family training completed. **Y** 3. **VB-2026-003 — Battery + cable for dedicated SGD (BC Children's)** — $275 Repair on existing Tobii. **30-day:** Hardware fixed. Device working at home and classroom. Major remaining barrier: school board refuses device on bus. Logged for future navigation work. **P** 4. **VB-2026-004 — Refurb iPad + case + French TD Snap (Aphasia association Montréal)** — $950 (partial) Adult, first functional system post-stroke. **30-day:** Using for video calls with family and grocery lists. **Y** 5. **VB-2026-006 — TD Snap license + config (Toronto AAC Clinic)** — $299 Toddler. **30-day:** 40+ words, using for choices at meals and to request book. Parent reports major quality-of-life gain. **Y** 6. **VB-2026-007 — Case + keyguard (Nova Scotia)** — $215 Adult. **30-day:** Hardware delivered and installed. iPad battery later found to be swelling — device now unsafe. Unresolved need is full replacement (beyond current grant size). **N** (One additional referral was declined after rubric because provincial program coverage was confirmed during our quick follow-up.) --- ## Recurring Barriers Observed Even when the grant succeeded in delivering the item: - School transportation / policy barriers (device not allowed on bus) - Provincial program wait times (11 months in one case) - End-of-life or failing hardware that a small grant cannot fully address - "Accessories" (keyguards, mounts, cases) frequently fall through funding cracks for tablet-based systems These patterns are exactly what the pilot was designed to surface. They will inform any future navigation support work. --- ## Process Observations (What Worked / Friction) **Worked well:** - Referral form was short enough that partners completed it. - 7-day decision target was easily met (most decisions in 2–4 days). - Direct vendor payment was straightforward. - Lived-experience advisor input on the first 7 cases was high-value and changed at least one partial-funding decision for the better. - 30-day confirmations were returned when chased once. **Friction / Improvements made or recommended:** - One partner needed help sourcing a cheaper refurb option — we adjusted the approved amount. - "Usable" definition needed clarification in the confirmation email (we now ask specifically "usable for its intended communication purpose"). - We should add a simple "what barrier remained?" forced field on the confirmation form going forward. - The rubric worked; scores correlated well with ultimate usability in these cases. --- ## Financial Summary (Pilot Slice) - Funds moved to actual supports: $2,544 - No administrative draw in this slice (all costs covered outside grant budget for now) - Average cost per successful usable outcome (Y or P): ~$424–$509 This remains well inside the "modest grant" philosophy. --- ## Recommendations to the Board + Advisors (Evidence Gate) 1. **Continue the Bridge Fund** at current or slightly higher volume (target 15–25 grants in next 6 months). The model demonstrably moves money to real access needs quickly and with high usability rates. 2. **Begin light navigation support conversations** with the 4 current partners. We will not create a "clinic" but we can experiment with 1–2 staff hours per month helping partners chase the systemic barriers that our grants cannot fix (e.g., school policy, long ADP waits). 3. **Do not launch training or Hear Me First** yet. The data does not yet show that lack of training was the primary blocker in most cases (setup was usually handled by the referring partner). 4. **Update the Grant Policy** (v1.1) with the clarified "usable" definition and the new "unresolved barrier" field on the confirmation. 5. **Raise the next $40k–$60k** tranche with the explicit message that the first slice worked and we are now testing modest growth while staying referral-only. 6. **Publish a public (de-identified) version** of this memo or a shorter summary once the Board approves the recommendations. Transparency with partners and early donors is part of the model. --- ## Next Evidence Gate We will repeat this memo process after the next 10–15 grants or at the 6-month mark, whichever comes first. At that point we will decide whether to: - Stay small and focused on the Bridge Fund only, - Add a small navigation support function, - Or pause / sunset if outcomes do not justify continuation. --- **Prepared with input from:** - Founding Directors - Clinical (AAC/SLP) advisor - Three Lived-Experience Advisors (review circle) **Attachments (real version would include):** - Redacted grant log excerpt - Sample 30-day confirmations (anonymized) - Updated Grant Policy v1.1 (if changed) --- *This example memo is 1,850 words. Real memos should stay under 1,500 words and be brutally honest about what did not work.* **End of example memo.**