Bridging Voice Launches New York State Initiative to Ensure No New Yorker with ALS is Left Without a Voice
Program will expand access to personalized support, the latest innovations in communication technology, and statewide training to enable all New Yorkers with ALS to communicate
New York, NY — March 16, 2026 — Bridging Voice announced the launch of its New York State Initiative, a statewide effort to ensure that every New Yorker with ALS has the ability to communicate and stay connected throughout the course of the disease. Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurological condition that causes people to lose the ability to move and speak, even as their minds remain fully intact. Bridging Voice is a national nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one education, technical support, and custom solutions to help people living with ALS understand and optimize their use of sophisticated communication technologies so that they are always able to communicate, regardless of the progression of the disease.
Since 2019, Bridging Voice has served more than 6,000 people living with ALS across all 50 states and 49 countries, delivering comprehensive, remote, and fully free services regardless of insurance status or geography. New York represents one of the largest opportunities for Bridging Voice impact, with an estimated 1,700 people living with ALS statewide at any given time and significant disparities in access to specialized communication services. Although New York is home to some of the world’s most advanced medical and technological innovation, many people with ALS still lack the personalized support and technical resources needed to actually use these tools effectively in their daily lives.
“As one of the first people to work with Bridging Voice in New York, I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing access to AAC technology and innovative tools can be for individuals living with ALS. The ability to communicate isn’t just about technology, it’s about dignity, connection, and staying present with the people you love. Expanding this support statewide, especially to families in rural and upstate communities, will make a meaningful difference for so many who otherwise might not have access to these critical resources.”
— Tim Green, best-selling author, former NFL player, and Bridging Voice client
Through this initiative, Bridging Voice will provide free, personalized communication support to every New Yorker with ALS, with a focus on reaching rural and underserved communities. The initiative will give New Yorkers early access to Bridging Voice’s custom communication solutions that harness the power of emerging technologies (like AI voice cloning and conversation tools), while also ensuring every participant receives one-on-one guidance from expert clinicians and technologists. The program will also build statewide capacity by training healthcare practitioners, creating public resources for clinics and community partners, and supporting the integration of communication technology into standard care across New York.
The New York State Initiative is designed as a collaborative program, bringing together nonprofits, healthcare systems, and universities around a shared goal: ensuring that no person with ALS in New York is left without a voice. Bridging Voice is currently working in collaboration with partners including ALS United Greater New York, Empire State ALS Alliance, University of Rochester Medical Center and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, with additional partners to be announced.
“ALS United Greater New York is proud to partner with Bridging Voice to help ensure that every New Yorker living with ALS has access to the communication tools and personalized support they need to stay connected and maintain their independence. This collaboration reflects our deep commitment to delivering essential local care while expanding resources through the New York Statewide Initiative. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected network of support so that every person impacted by ALS across New York State has access to the comprehensive care and services they need to live their lives to the fullest.”
— Kristen Cocoman, President & CEO, ALS United Greater New York
The New York State Initiative is supported by a group of lead philanthropic partners who share a commitment to expanding communication access for people living with ALS. Bridging Voice is grateful to have received early support, including significant leadership gifts from a board member, an anonymous donor and, the Pulley Family Foundation. Together, these partners are enabling Bridging Voice to scale its services, invest in innovation, and build long-term capacity for people with ALS and the organizations that serve them across New York.
“Our statewide programs in New Jersey and Maryland have shown how transformative this model can be,” said Karina Nagin, Executive Director of Bridging Voice. “When people living with ALS receive the personalized, human support they need to actually use today’s communication technology, the impact is life changing. This initiative allows us to bring powerful new innovations to the New Yorkers who need them most and to ensure that no one loses their voice simply because they don’t have access to the right tools and training.”
Learn more about the initiative and request services for New Yorkers living with ALS at:
www.bridgingvoice.org/newyork.
About Bridging Voice
Bridging Voice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers people living with ALS to meaningfully communicate by removing barriers to assistive technology. The organization is the only nonprofit in the country exclusively devoted to communication access for people with ALS. Through personalized technical support, clinical expertise, and innovative tools, Bridging Voice helps people with ALS preserve independence, dignity, and connection throughout the course of the disease. Learn more at www.bridgingvoice.org.
About ALS United Greater New York
ALS United Greater New York is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the ALS community for over 30 years. It supports more than 1,200 people living with ALS and their families across New York City, Long Island, Northern and Central New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley. Dedicated to the fight against ALS, the organization empowers the ALS community through a collaborative approach that fosters bold research initiatives, advances national and state advocacy, and provides comprehensive local care and support to individuals and families affected by the disease. For more information about ALS United Greater New York, visit als-ny.org.